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Tag: Olalekan Okusan

  • ITTF Africa honours Toriola

    ITTF Africa honours Toriola

    • Tasks players to emulate Nigerian star

    For his exemplary lifestyle on and off the table the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa has joined the league of those impressed with the feat achieved by Nigeria’s Segun Toriola at the Olympic Games as the first athlete to attend seven Olympics from the continent.

    At the colourful ceremony held during the ongoing ITTF Africa Senior Championships, Toriola who is the most decorated table tennis player in Africa was given a plaque by the President of ITTF Africa, Khaled El-Salhy assisted by a member of ITTF Africa Executive Board and the President of Morocco Table Tennis Federation, Monqid Hajji.

    According to ITTF Africa boss, it was the decision of the Executive Council of ITTF Africa to honour Toriola for putting the continent on the world map as the first athlete in any sports in Africa to feature in seven Olympic Games.

    “It was the decision of the Executive Council EC to give such award to Segun Toriola, who is a legend of Table Tennis not only in Africa but also in the World following his great achievement of being the first African to make seven appearances at the Olympic Games from 1992 to 2016. WE also we believe that he has the chance to break his own record by making it to Tokyo 2020, which the quality he still possesses,” El-Salhy said.

    For upcoming players, the ITTF Africa helmsman believes Toriola would serve as a role model for young players in Africa with his 100 per cent commitment to the sport on and off the table.

    “Toriola commitment to table tennis is 100 per cent and this is why he will remain an inspiration to young players in Africa. He is also an ambassador of Table Tennis when it comes to fair play. His excellent performance at every competition coupled with his humility are traits that singled him out among other players in Africa ,” El-Salhy added.

  • Nigeria battles Egypt in mixed doubles final

    Experience and youthfulness will come to fore at the ongoing ITTF Africa Senior Championships as Nigeria’s duo of Segun Toriola and Olufunke Oshonaike battle against Egypt’s Omar Assar and Dina Meshref in the final of the mixed doubles event.

    From the round of 16, it was his experience that gave Toriola and Oshonaike the victory as they overcame South Africa, Algeria and Egypt to set up a final against the defending champion, Assar and Meshref.

    Ahead of Thursday’s final,  Egypt’s Meshref said: “In the final against two of Africa’s most experienced players in Africa, Nigeria’s Segun Toriola and Olufunke Oshonaike, I am so excited playing against these top players. I look forward to an exciting match and I hope we can retain our title.”

    However, a confident Oshonaike said: “In the final, we are just going there to win the first title for Nigeria and it will be good that it is going to be Toriola and I that will win be playing and hoping to win the title. But I must also acknowledge the quality of Assar Omar and Meshref Dina as the defending champion and we will surely try our best in the final.”

    Meanwhile, the draws for the singles and doubles event hold today with all eyes on Aruna Quadri and Omar Assar – the tournament’s top seeds.

  • Nigeria’s Oladapo returns as ITTF Africa VP

    Nigeria’s Oladapo returns as ITTF Africa VP

    • Oshodi becomes regional boss

    Former Secretary General of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Olabanji Oladapo has been returned unopposed as Vice President, Administration of the eight-man Executive Council of ITTF Africa during the Bi-Annual General Assembly (BGM) held in Agadir, Morocco on Tuesday.

    Similarly, the President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi has been elected as the Regional Vice President (Western Region) of ITTF Africa.

    Oshodi, who is also a Member of the Nominations Committee of ITTF will be in charge of the Western region which includes Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. He is expected to coordinate the activities in this region with the aim of developing table tennis.

    Wahid Enitan Oshodi
    Wahid Enitan Oshodi

    Oladapo was elected alongside the President, ITTF Africa, Egypt’s Khaled El-Salhy in the new executives for another four-year term.

    Khaled El-Salhy, who became the president of the second largest continental body under the ITTF was elected unopposed while Henry Djombo (CGO), Deputy President; Olabanji Oladapo (NGR), Vice President Administration; Hajera Kajee (RSA), Vice President Marketing; Berte Abou Bakary (CIV), Vice President Finance; Monqid Hajji (MAR), Vice President Media and Public Relations and Balla Lo (SEN), Vice President Technical were all elected unopposed.

    For the regional Vice Presidents, Abdennour Kaci (Algeria) takes charge of Northern Region, Wahid Oshodi (Nigeria) is in charge of Western Region, Alfred Bagueka (Cameroon) is for Central Region, Andrew Mudibo (Kenya) to administer Eastern Rgion and Joe Carrim (South Africa) will take control of Southern Region.

    The council members are Kamel Zaitouni (Algeria), Mahmoud Oumar (Djibouti), Jalal Hariz (Libya), Philippe Hao Thyn Voon    (Mauritius), Abdelrahman El-Sallawi (Sudan) and Thomas Kiggundo (Uganda).

    However, two more co-opted members are expected to be added through the ITTF-Africa Executive Council maiden meeting.

    In his acceptance speech, Khaled El-Salhy pledged to uplift the fortune of table tennis in the continent, while calling for more support from national associations. “I am highly honoured to be considered for another term in office and I want to that the congress for their trust and support. We are so ambitious for the future hoping that we can focus on development and marketing of the sport so that we can continue to grow the sport in Africa,” he said.

    Countries that staged major competitions were also honoured for their efforts.

    Over 18 national associations graced the BGM while the congress also commended Morocco for their efforts to stage a befitting ITTF Africa Senior Championships.

    For 2017, Tunisia will host the African Junior and Cadet Championships in April while Congo Brazzaville is considering hosting the ITTF African Cup and Club Championship in July.

  • ‘We’ll reclaim our top spot from Nigeria’

    ‘We’ll reclaim our top spot from Nigeria’

    Despite not been part of the three-man Egyptian team that lost to Nigeria in 2015, Ahmed Saleh believes their main mission at the ongoing ITTF African Senior Championships is to wrestle the title back from the West African team.

    Saleh who is part of the six-man Egyptian men’s team in Agadir, Morocco has boasted that nothing can prevent them from dethroning Nigeria as Africa’s best male team.

    “Our aim in this competition is to reclaim our title because we narrowly lost it to Nigeria at the 2015 African Games in Congo Brazzaville. After this defeat, we have been working very hard to ensure we claim back the laurel because, for years, we held the title in Africa.Again, I must admit that the presence of Segun Toriola in the Nigerian team will make it very harder for us because

    “Again, I must admit that the presence of Segun Toriola in the Nigerian team will make it very harder for us because Toriola is a very dangerous player with a lot of experience. Even without Bode Abiodun in the Nigerian team, the fact that Toriola is in the team makes harder for us again. But having seen Mohammed El-Beiali beating Aruna Quadri in the Arab Club Championship, we are confidence that we can do it again,” Saleh said.

    The former African champion believes getting to the final for Egypt would be a problem as their main challenge is the final where they will likely battle Nigeria for the title and the sole slot of Africa for the 2017 World Team Cup.

  • ITTF Championships: Egypt quakes over Toriola’s arrival

    ITTF Championships: Egypt quakes over Toriola’s arrival

    The arrival of Segun Toriola in Morocco late on Monday has thrown Egypt into technical confusion at the ongoing ITTF African Senior Championships holding in Agadir, Morocco.

    Prior to the arrival of Toriola, who is regarded as the most successful table tennis player in the continent, the Egyptians were relieved that they would have an easy ride over Nigeria with only Aruna Quadri as the only threat in the team.

    But late on Monday, when the North African heard about the arrival of Toriola, their camp has been thrown into confusion with some of their players describing it as a huge challenge for them to reclaim their title in the men’s team event.

    Even some of the Egyptian coaches were eager to make an enquiry about the players that would be presenting for the tournament while they took their time to size up Nigerian players like Olajide Omotayo, Nurudeen Hassan and Jamiu Azeez.

    They were also convinced that they would have a smooth win over the Nigerians after watching the West African team sweating hard to defeat Tunisia 3-1 in their group match on Monday.

    One of the most experienced players in the Egyptian team, Ahmed Saleh told NationSport that Toriola is a dangerous player with a lot of experience, adding that Toriola’s present form might pose a lot of problem to them in the team event.

    The Egyptian team are eager to reclaim their title after losing the men’s team title to Nigeria at the 2015 African Games.

  • Govt’s attitude to other sports is discouraging – Oshonaike

    Govt’s attitude to other sports is discouraging – Oshonaike

  • Governor’s Cup: Ubale hails Nigerian players’

    Governor’s Cup: Ubale hails Nigerian players’

    For making the last eight of this year’s Lagos Governor’s Tennis Cup, national junior coach, Mohammed Ubale has applauded Nigerian players while calling for more support for them.

    Ubale believes with more support, the era of Nigerian players playing second fiddle to their foreign counterparts would soon be halted.

    “I must commend our players for their performance this year because it has been a long time that we had such outing at the annual Lagos Governor’s Tennis Cup. It was Jonathan Igbinovia who had the best outing by any Nigerian in the competition and this year’s out players made it to the quarterfinal of singles and doubles events and this alone is a sign that we are improving. I must also acknowledge that the series of national tournaments being staged in the country may have started yielded positively on the players’ performance,” Ubale said.

      He however, tasked corporate bodies not to relent in their support for the local players as this would help them to put the country on the tennis world map. “I am appealing to corporate bodies that they will regret support these players because I must tell you that having worked with some of these players, I know they are endowed in terms of talents.

    “What they just need is that motivation to continue to excel and compete internationally like their foreign counterparts. Some of the foreigners taking part in the Lagos Governor’s Tennis Cup have featured in more than 10 tournaments across the globe this year and this has really exposed them and that is what our local players also require to match their foreign opponents,” he added.

  • ITTF: Egypt’s Assar eyes revenge against Quadri in Morocco

    If there is anything paramount in the mind of Egypt’s Omar Assar when the 2016 ITTF African Senior Championships serve off in Morocco, it is to avenge the 4-1 loss he suffered in the hand of Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri in Sudan early this year.

    At the 2016 African Top 16 Cup in Khartoum, Assar surrendered to the superiority of Quadri to lose the continental sole slot to the 2016 World Cup.

    But like a wounded lion, The Egyptian has started talking tough that he looks forward to an exciting final against Quadri.

    “Aruna Quadri has been playing in a good level recently in the French league and international events, so it will be interesting to see our match in Africa’s events especially in the men’s singles. I have been preparing very well for this event and I am looking forward to a great performance in Morocco. I expect a good start with my teammates in team event first, then in singles, I am very hungry to display a very good performance,” Assar told NationSports.

    He predicted a rematch against Nigeria in the men’s team event final, which he said promises to be explosive.

    “I do believe that Egypt is the strongest country in Africa and I trust my teammates and coaches that they can show that in Morocco, while I look forward to a classic final between Egypt and Nigeria, which has always been very fun to play and to watch as well for the spectators,” he added.

    On his readiness for the championship, the African Games champion said: “I had two weeks of physical, mental and technical preparation in Germany where I had my last training camp so I can say I am waiting for my good performance in Morocco.”

    The Pan African star, however, called for the formation of African team, which he said would help the players to improve, “I would love to see one day that there is something called Team Africa and they play regularly with teams from Europe and Asia from time to time. This would surely help the players to improve themselves,” Assar said.

  • We respected Nigeria too much – Kalaba

    We respected Nigeria too much – Kalaba

    A disappointed captain of Zambia’s Chipolopolo, Ranford Kalaba has attributed the respect they had for Nigeria’s Super Eagles as their undoing in the first round of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.

    The TP Mazembe striker told Soka25east.com admitted squandering several begging chances in the encounter. He added that Zambia respected Nigeria so much in the first half of the game and the belief came out positive especially in the second half.

    “I want to apologize to the soccer fans and the entire nation because I missed a lot of chances and we had chances to score a number goals in the first half. Am disappointed but I think it is one thing that the Coach and I will look at as we prepare for the next encounters.”

    He however said there was still a lot to play for in the group added that it was also time for the players in the Zambian national team to understand that there is a huge task going forward as we shall still face start studded teams with players that play in European leagues in the other teams that Zambia is yet to play.

    Kalaba sentiments were backed by the Zambian trainer Wedson Nyirenda who said the team has to have self-belief in themselves and change the mentality of as we approach the later stages of the qualifying round. “We still have very big chances to qualify and this group, a team can qualify with 10 points and that is what Zambia will be focusing on too,” said Nyirenda.

    The Zambian tactician, however, refused to blame the players saying it was a learning and building phase and the lapses seen in the game against Nigeria would be rectified in looking back to this game. Even when he agreed that the two goals Zambia conceded were silly mistakes, he is adamant that the players need to be given chance to still prove themselves.

    In another Group B encounter, Cameroun held Algeria in Algiers to one all group, a result that Zambia would welcome knowing the group is still open and its starts with only one team getting the three points. Nigeria lead the group with three points while Algeria and Cameroun are on one point respectively while Zambia is fourth without a point.

    The second round of games kicks off on the 7th of November 2016.

  • ITTF Championships: ATTF predicts Nigeria, Egypt rivalry in Morocco

    ITTF Championships: ATTF predicts Nigeria, Egypt rivalry in Morocco

    The President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy has predicted renewed rivalry between the continent powerhouses- Nigeria and Egypt at the forthcoming ITTF African Senior Championship holding in Agadir, Morocco.From October 24 to 30, countries across Africa will converge in Agadir, which is a major city in Morocco, located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean near the foot of the Atlas Mountains for the seven-day championship.

    From October 24 to 30, countries across Africa will converge in Agadir, which is a major city in Morocco, located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean near the foot of the Atlas Mountains for the seven-day championship.

    According to the President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy, the tournament serves as qualification for the 2017 World Team Cup with Enbeath Complex hosting the championship with eight events in singles, teams and doubles to be battled for.

    As usual, the tournament is expected to re-ignite the rivalry between the continent powerhouses – Nigeria and Egypt while Congo Brazzaville is also another title contender.

    The ATTF helmsman added: “It will be a tough competition between the top countries, especially Egypt and Nigeria. Egypt is aiming to retain the titles for both team events while Nigeria is looking to use the performance of Aruna Quadri in previous tournaments at world levels to secure the sole slot for the 2017 World Team Cup.”

    “There is no doubt that the traditional forces are going to dazzle and I am expecting the promoted countries to prove themselves (i.e. Ghana whom made a big surprise a the 2015 African Games in Congo Brazzaville by getting a bronze medal), and I see also that Congo Brazzaville, Algeria and Tunisia will be teams to watch out in terms of making it to the podium in Morocco,” El-Salhy added.

    With over 15 countries expected at the championship which will also host the Annual General Congress of the continental body and the ATTF boss reaffirmed the readiness of the host nation for the table tennis fiesta.

    “All preparation and arrangement for the competition seems to be working well with the main hotel already secured as well as the venue and I hope it will be a successful event,” he said.