141 players participate as WTT serves off in Lagos

Posted : 09 June 2023

No fewer than 141 players are expected to participate at World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender series that will serve off in Lagos from June 12 to 18.

Sola Aiyepeku, Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), said this while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Lagos that 50 players from Africa would slug it out with their counterparts from Europe and Asia.

Aiyepeku said that the contender series would help the country develop new talents and would expose the players to the best challenge, while helping them determine their strength.

“I hope that we will have something better than what we had last year when we hosted the International Table Tennis tournament.

“It was super exciting. But this year, because of the quality of players that are participating, it will help increase the excitement of the game.

“Global events help us develop our talents and also expose them,” he said.

Aiyepeku noted that the absence of Aruna Quadri would not affect the performance of other Nigerian players, rather it would enable them to give their best.

“Before Aruna, we had Adamu Musa, and there are so many exciting boys. This is the time to give them the platform to perform.

“When Lagos sees the new talents in display, it will definitely support them,” he said.

Aiyepeku disclosed that Lagos had paved way for every other state, in terms of Table Tennis.

“For decades, Lagos has always proven to be a place that holds Tables Tennis in high esteem. Lagos has also paved way for every other state in Nigeria.

“From domestic to international, we have had about four tournaments last year that were international. We must keep that trend going,” he said.

The WTT Event Manger, Jerald Tan, said that the series, which is the first in Nigeria, has three countries in Africa that would be opportune to host it.

“We have only three countries in Africa that will host the WTT; South-Africa hosted in January 10 to 15, Nigeria, June 12 to 18 and Tunisia, June 19 to 26.

He noted that the contender series, which has a high standard, would help the players’ ranking point for the 2024 Olympic Games.

“Top 20 players of female and male are expected to be here participating. The series will help their ranking for qualifying for the 2024 Olympics Games.

“The status of the game has been upgraded and the standard will be higher.

“We have been able to put a team together and which Lagos will be proud of,” he said.

Enitan Oshodi, Vice President International Table Tennis, said that the series would encourage young talents to see a future in the competition.

“I’m proud of this event and also everyone that has supported it.

“This will enable us make big stars out of our players and encourage the young ones that there is another way aside football.

“This is a big tournament because the former number one table tennis player will be here,” he said.

He disclosed that there were plans to ensure a good show in the course of the tournament.

141 players participate as WTT serves off in Lagos

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