Lagos ITTF World Tour Serves Off On Tuesday.

After months of preparation couple with confirmation of participants, the International Table Tennis Federation World Tour, Lagos Open serves off on Tuesday March 10 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

82 players drawn from 11 countries will compete in the $46,000 prize money championship which a world is ranking event listed on the ITTF World Tour calendar as a challenge series.

As the second challenge series after the Hungary Open early this year, the tournament will once again bring to fore the fierce rivalry between Nigeria and Egypt as the North African team has a 12-man contingent competing in the six events jostling for at the championship.

Unlike the previous editions, where players are expected to compete from the group stage to qualify for the next stage, this year’s will witness a knock-out format, where players will only progress after  winning each match

According to the ITTF-appointed Competition Manager, Mounir Bessah,  the stage is set for the commencement of the competition as everything  has been put in place by the host.

“I am satisfied with what I have seen so far and there is an improvement from what I witnessed last year. I think the tournament is improving each year and I am happy with the atmosphere coupled with the kind of organization put in place.

We are also hopeful that the players will have an exciting time in Lagos. The equipment is off world standard as it meets ITTF specifications while the hotel and logistics are also perfect. I believe that the tournament will be more exciting this year with the quality of players competing this year,” Bessah said.

An elated President, Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy believes Lagos Open has become a rally point for Africa with the quality of organization as well as the presence of Lagos fans who
most times make the tournament very glamorous.