Oshonaike, Quadri Allay Fears Over Italy, Czech Republic Threats

The pair of Funke Oshonaike and Aruna Quadri believes the world rating of Italy and Czech Republic cannot intimidate Nigeria when they confront these European sides at the 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championship in Tokyo, Japan next month.

With Nigeria’s female team to be anchored by Germany-based Oshonaike has been pitched against Italy, India, Turkey, Portugal and Bulgaria, while the male team to be spearheaded by one of Africa’s most decorated table tennis player, Segun Toriola will tackle European giants like of Czech Republic and Belgium as well as Indonesia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Canada in Group E. but Oshonaike is optimistic that with quality preparation on the part of his teammates would make it easy for the team in Tokyo.

“I know that there is minnow in the game again as every country is eager to be the best in the world. For us, we managed to remain in division two after a poor outing at the last edition in Dortmund, Germany.

All the teams in our group are familiar to us because in Germany, we narrowly lose to Italy because of their experienced Chinese player, who gave us a tough time. India and Turkey are also very good.

But India will surely be using the tournament to shape up for the Commonwealth Games, so we will both be looking out for each other. So I am sure that with good preparation from my teammates, we will surmount the hurdle in Japan,” she said.

The 2011 All Africa Games silver medalist, however believes the participation of Nigerian players in ITTF World Tours would surely help the team to acquaint with some of the players coming to Japan.

In his reaction, Portugal-based Quadri admitted that it was a tough challenge for the male team.

“I can say the group is very difficult and at the same time it is very good for us to prepare adequately for the Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

The group will bring out the best in us, which means to be the best we must win against the best. Canada is a familiar foe for many years and I see us winning against Canada again just like we did at the last edition in Germany. Indonesia and Bosnia-Herzegovina is not as tough as Canada but we must be at our best to win against these teams. We will not underrate any of these teams,” he said.