Team Nigeria seeks honours at 2024 Paralympics table tennis qualification event
Posted : 14 April 2023
A 15-man Nigerian para table tennis team has begun competing with several others at the ITTF Lignano Masters Para Open to aid their qualification to the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
The Nigerian team at the tournament, which has more than 100 players, is competing in the three categories of singles, doubles and team over four days.
The Africa Network (ASN) reports that the competition will help the players gain ranking points for qualification to the 2024 Games.
The Nigerian team has 2022 Commonwealth Games medalists Isau Ogunkunle, Nasiru Sule and Faith Obazuaye, as well as Tokyo 2020 Paralympics bronze medalist Tajudeen Agunbiade
Others are Olufemi Alabi, Victor Farinloye, Kayode Alabi, Bolawa Akingbemisilu, Ibrahim Soares, Faith Obiora, Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi, Maimuna Habib, Kehinde Lawal, Ganiyat Shoremekun and Ahmed Koleosho.
Agunbiade, captain of the Nigerian team, while hailing the Delta government for immensely supporting the team, pledged that his team would make the country proud in Italy.
“I must thank the Delta State government for their support to the team and the team is well prepared for the tournament because we had rigorous training before leaving Lagos last weekend,” he said.
The team captain said the competition was just one of the many tournaments they needed to attend to qualify for the 2024 Paralympics.
“We just want Nigerians to continue to support special athletes morally and spiritually and by the grace of God, we shall continue to represent and bring glory to the country,” he said.
Speaking also, the team manager, Sunday Odebode, said the team was in good shape to do well.
“The team is really prepared in spite of missing training during the election period and the situation of the country.
“But we still managed to get approval from the Delta government to sponsor the team. This is our first tournament of the year and Nigeria will also be hosting a tournament on the road to Paris in Lagos in October,” he added
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