Aruna Beat Morizono To Forge Ahead At WTT Star Contender

 

Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna continued his good run at the ongoing World Table Tennis (WTT) Star Contender after he advanced to the third round (round of 16) of the men’s singles in Doha, Qatar.

 

It was a convincing 3-1 win over Japan’s Masataka Morizono by the Nigerian who remains the only African still in the race at the $400,000 prize money tournament.

 

Being the third meeting between the two players, it was Aruna that dominated from the start of the encounter against Morizono, and this also reflected in the outcome of the tie played on Tuesday March 9, 2021.

 

Matching the Japanese shot-for-shot, Aruna was in charge in the first game which he won 11-6; he repeated the same form in the second game to win at 11-9. But in the third game, he lost concentration to concede defeat to the Japanese at 11-1.

 

A determined Aruna returned to the table in the fourth game and he raised his performance to dominate from 7-7 before eventually winning at 11-7 to complete the 3-1 rout of his opponent.

 

With the win, Aruna now had an edge over Morizono in their three meetings with the Nigerian winning twice while the Japanese won once.

 

The Nigerian will again battle another Japanese star Harimoto Tamakazu in the third round on Wednesday March 10 in his quest to exceed the quarterfinal finish he achieved at the WTT Contender Series last week.

 

Egypt’s Dina Meshref failed to advance to the third round after losing to Chinese Taipei’s Szu-Yu Chen 3-1 (19-17, 4-11, 9-11, 9-11) while her compatriot Ahmed Saleh also failed to progress after losing 3-0 (11-8, 11-5, 11-2) to  WTT Contender Series champion Dimitrij Ovtcharov of Germany.

Oshonaike, Others To Speak At ITTF Women’s Day Confab

 

Nigeria’s Olufunke Oshonaike has been listed among the speakers for the International Table Tennis Federation's (ITTF) online conference to mark International Women's Day on Monday March 8, 2021.

 

The six-time Olympian will represent the interest of the athletes alongside Peruvian player Mónica Liyau to complete the panel.

 

The former African champion is committed to promoting gender equality through table tennis and helps those in need in Nigeria through her charity, while Liyau established her own foundation to use table tennis as a tool to reduce inequality for children in extreme poverty.

 

Also, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Women in Sport Committee chair Rita van Driel is among the speakers announced.

 

The online conference will focus on the current status of gender equality and how to use table tennis as a tool for female empowerment. 

 

It will be open to all and will feature an open question and answer session. 

 

Van Driel, who is also Agitos Foundation President, is set to be joined by ITTF gender commissioner Hajera Kajee and International Olympic Committee Women in Sports Commission member Ingmar De Vos.

 

Petra Sörling, the only female ITTF Executive Committee member and a vice-president of the organisation, will contribute with insights from table tennis's governing body.

 

A number of other online events have been organised by the ITTF for International Women's Day. 

This includes a global workshop called "Girls & Women in Sport for All" and a dedicated "Masters of Skill" training lesson.

 

The ITTF has aimed to make progress in gender equality in recent years, implementing equal prize money for men and women at ITTF and World Table Tennis events, and introducing a module on gender within an online administration course. 

The governing body will also dedicate World Table Tennis Day on April 6 to women and girls.

Supporters of the campaign to encourage female participation in table tennis are encouraged to follow the hashtags #FEMpowerment #InspirationalWomen and #FEMCampaign on Twitter. 

 

International Women's Day takes place on March 8 each year. 

WTT Star Contender: Aruna Gets A Wild Card

Following his quarterfinal finish at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender Series last week, Quadri Aruna has been given a bye to the second of the men’s of WTT Star Contender which began at the weekend.

 

Aruna who was beaten 3-1 by Chinese Taipei’s Yun-Ju Lin in the quarterfinal may likely square up against Japanese sensation Harimoto Tamakazu in the third round if he scales through from the second round. He is expected to begin his campaign on Tuesday March 9.

 

However, Olajide Omotayo failed to make it beyond the first stage of the preliminary round of the WTT. Star Contender taking place in Doha, Qatar.

 

Drawn against Portugal’s Joao Geraldo in the second stage of the preliminary round, Omotayo who made it to the second stage of the preliminary round of WTT Contender Series played his heart out against the Portuguese who was beaten by Quadri Aruna in the last 16 of the WTT Contender Series last week.

 

From the start of the encounter, it was as if Omotayo was going to take his Portuguese counterpart to the cleaner after winning the first game at 11-8, but his opponent did not come unprepared as he won the second game at 11-4.

 

Again Omotayo restored his lead with a close 14-12 win in the third game while the win did not last for long before Geraldo levelled up in the fourth game at 11-3.

 

To prevent what happened to him against Omotayo’s compatriot Aruna last week, the Portuguese star led the fifth game from the start and this he followed through to win at 11-8 and complete a 3-2 victory over the Nigerian.

 

The defeat has cut short the stay of Omotayo in Doha being the only route for him to remain in the competition.

 

Meanwhile, the performance of Aruna in the WTT Contender Series continued to be applauded across Africa as the President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy praised the Nigerian for putting Africa on the world map. “I am particularly impressed with what Aruna achieved in the WTT Contender Series being the first official WTT tournament and an African is getting to the quarterfinal amidst array of stars that featured in the competition. 

 

“He was also unlucky in the quarterfinal against the Asian star. This is another good outing from Aruna whose performance would continue to inspire African players and open doors for them to play professionally in Europe. I hope and believe he can do well again in the WTT Star Contender this week,” the ATT boss said.

Aruna’s Quarterfinal Feat In Qatar Excites NOC

 

The Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Olabanji Oladapo could not hide his excitement after watching Quadri Aruna becoming the first African to qualify for the quarterfinal of the World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender Series taking place in Doha, Qatar.

 

On Wednesday, Quadri beat Indian national champion Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 3-0 to set up a round of 16 tie against Portugal’s Joao Geraldo.

 

And on Thursday March 4 at Lusail Sports Arena in Doha continued his good run with another superlative performance to record a 3-2 (10-12, 12-10, 12-10, 4-11, 11-6) win over his Portuguese counterpart.

 

An excited Oladapo described the performance of Aruna as confirmation of the ability of the Oyo State-born athlete. “Aruna has been a shining light in table tennis not only in Nigeria and Africa but globally. 

 

His efforts have continued to put Nigeria and Africa on the world map of table tennis. Having watched the way he played against the Portuguese, I am so proud of him and I believe Africa is also proud of what the Nigerian has achieved in the sport.

 

 His performance on table is another confirmation of what he can do and he has indeed inspired the future generation with his display in Qatar. What he will do in the next match will be another feat for Africa and we wish him well over there,” the NOC scribe added.

 

On Friday, March 5, Aruna will face one of the skillful players in the world Chinese Taipei’s Yun-Ju Lin.

, who has been described as Chinese nemesis.

 

The $200,000 prize money WTT Contender Series is one of the two tiers of the new WTT event structure, while the Middle East Hub marks the first official events of the WTT era. 

 

The Middle East Hub will feature two tiers of the new WTT event structure. The WTT Contender will end on March 6, while the first WTT Star Contender event the following week, providing the perfect preparation for some of the world’s leading stars to be challenged by the best up-and-coming athletes in table tennis.

WTT: Aruna Progresses, battles Portuguese star in second round

 

Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna remains the only surviving African player at the first official  World Table Tennis (WTT) Tournament taking place in Doha after he defeated Indian national champion  Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 3-0 (11-7, 11-4, 11-8) to berth in the second round of the men’s singles.

 

The way and manner the Nigerian dismissed the newly-crowned Indian national champion confirmed the quality of Aruna again as he dominated the match from the start to the end.

 

The win came like a wild-wind to the Indian superstar who had boasted of his readiness to send the Nigerian packing in the first round. But he was silent by the defeat which came as a surprise even to his coach who was behind him throughout the encounter.

 

An elated Aruna described the win as awesome. “I am happy because everything seems to work well for me in the match. I had taken my time to study his game and everything I picked worked well for me in the encounter. I am looking forward to the next match and I hope to approach every match with all seriousness,”Aruna said after the match.

 

With this win, Aruna will now face a familiar face in Portugal’s Joao Geraldo who had a walk-over over Slovakia’s Yang Wang who was disqualified for breaking COVID-19 protocol put in place by the organisers.

 

In the women’s singles, it was not a good outing for six-time African women champion Dina Meshref of Egypt as she was beaten by Korea Republic's Hyowon Suh 3-1 (12-10, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5).

 

Meshref and Omar Assar are still in the race in the mixed doubles event of the championship.

 

The $200,000 prize money WTT Star Contender events will take place over six days and WTT Contender events will deliver four days of action, with each event featuring men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles competitions.

Aruna To Battle Indian Star In WTT's Men's Singles

 

Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna has been pitched against India’s Sathiyan Gnanasekaran in the main draw of the men’s singles of $200,000 prize money World Table Tennis (WTT) Middle East Hub taking place in Doha, Qatar.

 

The only African that progressed to the fourth stage of the preliminary round of the men’s singles, Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw failed to join Aruna in the main draw as he was beaten by Japan’s Masataka Morizono 3-1 (11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 12-10).

 

Earlier on Monday, Olajide Omotayo, Egypt’s Omar Assar, Ahmed Saleh, Mohammed El-Beiali and Khaled Assar have all been shown the exit in the first and second stages of the preliminary.

 

Tokyo 2020 Olympic-bound Senegalese fought his way to the fourth stage of the preliminary but the southpaw Japanese was too much for the African.

 

As the only African competing in the main draw, Aruna who is among the 24 top players seeded for the tournament will square up against the Indian star on table one on Wednesday March 3.

 

The Nigerian is ranked 21^st in the world while the 28-year-old Indian star is rated 37th while both players will be meeting at the level for the first time with odds favouring the Nigerian.

 

Aruna who is the 2019 Nigeria Open champion believes his best would see him through in the competition. “I am hoping that my best will be enough for me against the best in Qatar. There is no doubt that I am hopeful of a good outing in readiness for the World Olympic Qualification tournaments which takes place after the WTT tournament later this month. There are no minnows in table tennis and I hope my best will see me through the tournament,” Aruna said.

 

The WTT Contender Series, features two event tiers – WTT Star Contender and WTT Contender – that are set to deliver world-class competition. 

 

Aruna and other top players will battle it out for ITTF Table Tennis World Ranking points, as up-and-coming stars of the sport look to rise up the ladder. 

 

WTT Contender Series events will be the heartbeat of the WTT Series and provide a critical pathway for players to progress through the rankings and the new structure into WTT Champions and Grand Smash events.

 

WTT Star Contender events will take place over six days and WTT Contender events will deliver four days of action, with each event featuring men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles competitions.

Nigeria’s Obi-Farinde gets ITTF Tribunal job

Nigeria’s experienced Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practitioner, Morenike Obi-Farinde has been appointed into the pioneer seven-man Tribunal of the world table tennis ruling body, International Table Tennis Federation,ITTF.

 

With this development, Obi-Farinde who is bringing three decades of legal practice and two decades as an ADR practitioner to the ITTF Tribunal will be the first African and Nigerian to be appointed as a member of the pioneer ITTF Tribunal.

 

She is a member of the Nigeria Olympic Committee’s (NOC) Ethics and Governance Commission and a legal practitioner in areas including sports law and dispute resolution.

Speaking on her new role, Obi-Farinde, who is a multi-disciplinary practitioner excelling in contentious and non-contentious matters said: “It is an opportunity to add my Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) experience and skills of about three decades in the legal profession in sports governance and administration in general and Table Tennis in particular. The newly created ITTF Integrity Unit as well as the ITTF Tribunal will improve the Disciplinary process and procedure within the ITTF.”

 

“As an inaugural member of the ITTF Tribunal and working with the other members under the direction of the Tribunal Chair, my understanding of the global approach to conflict resolution, I believe will be of immense benefit to the Federation,” she added.

 

The Independent Tribunal members according to ITTF have two-year term and they are expected to play a central role in ensuring the effective provision of dispute resolution services for sports participants, support personnel and sporting organisations internationally, forming a diverse panel of independent arbitrators, legal and subject matter experts that may be called upon on a case-by-case basis.

 

The Tribunal will be chaired by Jorge Ibarrola of Switzerland, while other members include Lau Kok Keng (Singapore), Sally Clark (England), Anna Smirnova (Russia), Olivier Ducrey (Switzerland) and Faisal Hasnain (Pakistan) as well as Nigeria’s Obi-Farinde.

 

The Tribunal was inaugurated on Monday February 8 in the presence of ITTF President Thomas Weikert; Secretary General Raul Calin; ITTF Nomination Committee Chairman Wahid Enitan Oshodi as well as ITTF Legal Counsel Dylan Mah.

Aruna Gets A Two- Year Contract Extension.

 

The performance of Quadri Aruna in his maiden season in the German Bundesliga has earned a two-year contract extension with TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell.

 

Regarded as one of the best players in the Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL), the management of TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell has been impressed with the Nigerian and in order to fend off offers from other teams, they decided to extend the contract of the African champion for another two-seasons.

 

Unlike others who hardly made an impact in their maiden season, Aruna has made an instant impact for TTC Fulda as his performance has lifted the team from going down in the league.

 

Aruna who joined the German club from Sporting in Portugal in 2020 has been outstanding this season being the best performing player in the club for the 2020/2021 Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL) season.

 

With four matches to the end of the season, TTC Fulda has managed to escape relegation having won five matches and lost 13 to occupy the 10th place on the 12-team league table.

 

Already, German internationals Fan Bo Meng and Ruwen Filus have been confirmed to remain with the team for next season and in planning ahead, the management of the club has decided to hand Aruna another two-year deal till 2023.

 

On principle, TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell has secured a unilateral option to extend the contract of the 32-year-old Nigerian after he joined the club on a one-year contract. 

 

Being the best player in the Portuguese league for three seasons, Aruna has achieved an individual record of 14 wins and 10 loses to be listed among the top 15 players in TTBL.

 

His performance has helped TTC Fulda this season as the team still believe the African superstar still has a lot to offer.

 

"We are currently in talks with Aruna", TTC President Stefan Frauenholz can no longer elicit, but the extension with Aruna should only be a matter of time. 

 

With this development, this means that the TTC Fulda would start the next season with an unchanged team for the first time in three years, after former players like Denmark’s Jonathan Groth, Chinese Wang Xi and Croatia’s Tomislav Pucar left the club after one season. 

NTTF To Organise A Month Training Camp, Says Nosiry Bello

As part of efforts to elevate the status of Nigeria's female table tennis players, the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, NTTF, is expected to have a month training camp for selected young and talented ping pongers after the extinction of Coronavirus.

Its chief coach, Nosiru Bello, said the outbreak of the Covid- 19, had deprived the federation from organising a thorough training session for the female players who were expected to take over from Funke Oshonaike, Offiong Edem, Cecilia Akpan Otu among others.

Bello, said it was imperative for the federation to commence the programme in order to curtail the dominance of Egyptian female ping pongers in Africa's table tennis championship.

The coach, noted that it would be sad if NTTF could not produce quality and competent players who could challenge Egyptian female ping pongers, adding that Fatimo Bello, Aminat Ayinla, Tosin Oribamise, Ajoke Ojomi, among others, had the zeal to attain greater heights once they were exposed to such training.

51st Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup: Former champions clash in semifinal

It will be a battle Royale on Thursday at the 51st Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup as current and former champions clash in the semifinal of the women’s singles at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Defending champion, Bose Odusanya and 2013 champion, Tolu Durosimi-Etti will be the cynosure of all eyes as both players battle for a place in the final scheduled for Friday November 29.

Already, both players have started talking tough with Odusanya reiterating her resolve to hold on to the title. “I think I played against her when I won my first title in 2015 and this year will not be an exception as I hope to take her down again. I am in good shape and I don’t see anybody stopping me from retaining the title again. She can only try but she can stop me,” a confident Odusanya said.

For Durosimi-Etti, the tie promises to be explosive. But she admitted that her opponent is in good shape having watched her matches so far. “It is a 50-50 match but I am sure I can still win the title. She is in good form but she is beatable in the competition. I don’t think I am here to just give her the chance to walk over everybody as I am ready to dethrone her and reclaim the title I surrendered in 2014,” Durosimi-Etti boasted.

As a prelude to what she is capable of doing, Odusanya partnership with David Fayele conquered Durosimi-Etti and Samson Agbaje 11-4, 11-4, 11-9 to emerge winners of the mixed doubles event.

Also in the men’s singles, former national junior star, Joseph Osendukwu is aiming to end the reign of Fayele as both players battle in the quarterfinal. 

A determined Osendukwu said: “I don’t see him reigning for long and I think I am fully ready to stop him from parading himself as champion. He is going down and I am fully in top shape to ensure I stop him from retaining the title,” he said.

The longest running sports tournament in Nigeria has been bankrolled by the family of late Chief Dr Molade Okoya-Thomas since the demise of the initiator 2014 and it is organized by the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSSTA).

Nigeria, Egypt In Make or Mar Ties in Tokyo

The possible relevance of African teams at the 2019 ITTF Team World Cup will be determined on Thursday November 7, as Nigeria and Egypt play their last group matches in the competition.

Having lost their opening matches to World and Olympic Champion - China, Nigeria will be hoping for luck when they take on Chinese Taipei in the final match of Group A that will determine the team that will join China in the next stage of the competition.

Nigeria and Chinese Taipei were humbled by the Chinese with a 3-0 win in the men's event, while in the women's event, Egypt also suffered same defeat in the hand of the Chinese superstars.

And also, the Egyptian team led by African champion, Dina Meshref will slug it out for the second place in Group A against Ukraine.

Despite acknowledging the superiority of the Chinese, Dina Meshref believes the tie has prepared them for the all-important clash against the Ukrainians.

"I believe that playing against China has put us in the right frame of mind for the battle against Ukraine. It was not that the Chinese overrun because we gave them a run for their money. I am hoping that we can go beyond the group stage this year as we take on Ukraine in the final group match," she said.

Top seeds, China, Germany, South Korea remained unbeaten after winning all their group matches to top their groups.

But it was not same story for host - Japan in the men's event as they suffered a shock defeat against England while they were later consoled by their hard-earned victory against over Austria in their last group tie.

The tournament continues with the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage where they are expected to be drawn against each other for places in the last four of the competition.

Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire dominate ITTF West Africa Challenge

Nigeria and host nation - Cote d'Ivoire emerged as champions at the maiden ITTF West Africa Challenge concluded at the weekend in Abidjan.

It was Nigeria's Fatimo Bello that emerged as champion in the women's event after beating compatriot - Tosin Oribamise 4-2 in the final of the maiden ITTF West Africa Challenge held in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

In the men's final home boy - Oba Oba Kizito thrilled the fans with his performance after a convincing 4-0 win over Benin Republic's Monday Olabiyi.

From the group stage, Bello did not drop a game to sail to the final where she had to come from 2-0 down to beat Oribamise and emerged as the champion.

However, Kizito admitted that the quarterfinal tie against Nigeria's Augustine Emmanuel remained the toughest match he played in the competition.

"I am so happy that I made my people proud with this win as I was really determined to become champion. It was a bit easy in the final but the quarterfinal win has boosted my confidence that I can win the tournament," the 24-year-old said.

For Bello, the victory did not come on a platter of gold. "It was not easy at all because I had to come from behind to win the encounter. I am very happy and grateful to the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) for the opportunity to represent my country. I must also acknowledge the support from the Abidjan particularly being my first time in this lovely country and I look forward to returning next time," Bello said.

Cote d'Ivoire's Nadia Kemanan settled for bronze in the women while Ghana's Derek Abrefa finished third in the men's event.

The winners are expected to represent the region at the 2020 Africa Top 16 Cup in Tunisia.

A satisfied Deputy Secretary General of FITT, Ali Kanate described hosting the tournament as a good development for Cote d'Ivoire, particularly for the growth of table tennis in the country.

His words: "I am so excited that within a short time, we were able to stage this tournament. Mobilising all the teams was a challenge but with the huge support from ITTF, this was sorted out and we have 11 out of the 15 countries that made up the region. 

“The usual bottlenecks synonymous with the first day were there but we believe we have learnt from hosting this competition. This has again shown our ability to stage major competitions, having hosted the 2018 World Junior Circuit and African Junior Championship successfully," Kanate added.

11 of the 15 countries in West Africa competed at the two-day championship hosted by the Federation of Ivorien Table Tennis (FITT) with support from ITTF.

Aruna Quadri Joins Gewo’s Fold

After more than ten years with Joola, Aruna Quadri formally joined another Germany-based kit firm – Gewo on a three-year renewable contract.

The Nigerian is expected to be kitted for the next three years and he will be paid monthly allowance based on the world rating by Gewo.

Quadri who remains the best ranked African table tennis player in the world was with Joola for more than a decade, but decided to team up with Joola based on the interest showed by the company led by its founder  - Wolfgang Sohns .

According to Sohns, Gewo decided to sing the Nigerian following his conduct on and off the table. “Aruna Quadri is such a fantastic player who exhibits the qualities of our brand.  We are aware of his popularity in Nigeria and Africa as well as large followership across the globe and this also endeared us to him. 

He has shown to be a good ambassador of table tennis wherever he goes. He is calm and sociable and for us at Gewo, we value these qualities and that is why we have decided to team up with Aruna Quadri after initially having the Nigeria national team in our fold,” Sohns said.

The contract was facilitated by WEO Allsports and the chairman of the company, Wahid Oshodi described the new deal as a new vista for the Nigerian. “Aruna Quadri is a global brand and those who appreciate the qualities of this young man are ready to go all out and sign him.

 This is another leap for Aruna Quadri toward his preparation and readiness for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. We are happy for him and we hope this will surely rub off on his performance on table being the highest ranked player in the fold of Gewo,” Oshodi said.

 
Gewo was founded 120 years ago as a saddlery, since 1956, the company has developed into one of the leading manufacturers of table tennis tables.

NTTF National Women Singles Open Championship Serves off In Lagos

The best female players across the country will be aiming for ranking points as well as the N600,000 prize money at stake as the maiden Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) National Women Singles Open Championship serves off on Friday, June 28, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The two-day tournament will be used to rate the players while the winner will go home with N200,000 for her efforts.

Already, the players have used the just concluded All African Games trials as a warm-up for the championship sponsored by the President of NTTF, Eng Ishaku Tikon.

Southpaw Fatimo Bello deifed all odds to humble the likes of Cecilia Otu-Akpan and national sports festival champion, Ajoke Ojomu to emerge as champion at the All Africa Games trial and all eyes will be on the Lagos State-born athlete who is yet to feature for the national team since her emergence in the last two years.

Pained by the defeat she suffered against Fatimo Bello in the final of the All African Games trial, Abuja-based Ajoke Ojomu will be hoping to re-enact the form that saw her claiming the National Sports Festival at the expense of veteran Cecilia Otu-Akpan.

All participating players are to have a valid NTTF License to be able to compete in the championship.

For NTTF President, Engr Ishaku Tikon, the trial has been an eye-opener for the federation and a dress rehearsal for the women singles tournament.

 “Already several tournaments are lined up for this year in Africa and we cannot afford to play second fiddle in such competition and that is why we have decided to focus on the female players so that we can raise their standard in the game. 

The first step is to identify the talented ones among them before exposing them to world class coaching and tournaments. We are expecting players at junior and senior levels to be part of the competition and we will ensure that the identified ones are groomed to become world beaters just like their male counterparts,” Tikon said.

 The NTTF boss added: “Also in the past, Nigeria used to dominate the female event in Africa but now Egypt and other North African teams are coming up, so there is need to close the gap and that is why this tournament is very important to us.”

The tournament according to NTTF would serve as selection of team for major events while players within and outside Nigeria are expected to be part of the championship.

David Fayele, Bose Odusanya Win Brand New Salon Car.

The Men's singles champion of the Golden Jubilee edition of the Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup, David Faleye, has attributed his victory against  Commonwealth games silver medalist, Olajide Omotayo, to hard work and determination to claim the star prize of a brand new salon car.

Fayele, who lost at the final of last year's edition of the Asoju Oba Cup, said he had to redouble his training programmes when it was certain that Olajide Omotayo, who won a salon brand new car in twenty- thirteen, would feature in the competition.

An elated ping ponger, who maintained that he was far better than Omotayo, said the only Nigeria's foreign table tennis he could not contend with was Aruna Quadri since he plays like a wounded lion, stressing that his aspirations was to join the league of Nigeria's professional ping pongers in Europe.

The winner, who was betswoed with a brand new Peugeot salon car, saidhe would be representing Lagos State at the eleventh edition of the National Sports Festival, holding this month in Abuja, adding that the just concluded Asoju Oba Cup was spur him to claim the Games Men's Singles title.

David Faleye outsmashed Olajide Omotayo, by four set to two, 4-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 12-10.

 Meanwhile, the winner of the Women's Singles of the Asoju Oba Cup, Bose Odusanya, has dedicated her achievement in the Golden Jubilee of the Asoju Oba Cup to the almighty God for manking it possible to attain such height in the game of table tennis.

Odusanya, whose victory against Nimota Aregbesola in the final of Women's Singles makes it the fourth time to claim the title since twenty- fifteen, said her priority was to play professional table tennis in Europe, adding that the duo of Funke Oshonaike and Bose Kaffo were her role model in the game of table tennis.


The female ping ponger, who defeated Aregbesola by four set to two,11-5, 6-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 12-10, said the feat would also motivated her to record outstanding victory at the National Sports Festival, NSF, in Abuja, stressing that Aregbesola, was a tough player who plays with anti- speed.

IOC tags Aruna Quadri Africa’s all time table tennis best

Two years after becoming the first African to reach the quarterfinal round of the table tennis event at the Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has tagged the Nigerian as Africa’s most successful Olympic table tennis player of all time.

IOC published an interview with the Nigerian on its official website recently and they lauded the Oyo State-born athlete for etching his name in the annals of world table tennis history in Brazil.

IOC wrote, “Two decades after he took up table tennis on the streets of Oyo, in south-western Nigeria, Quadri Aruna became the first African to reach an Olympic quarterfinal.”

Quadri reveals in the interview how he beat players “far better” than him at Rio 2016, while recalling his early battles to succeed against all odds and stresses the significant debt he owes his talented wife.

“I actually had no confidence against Chuang Chih-Yuan [Chinese Taipei’s four-time world tour champion, whom Aruna faced in the third round] because earlier in January that year I lost in Germany in the first round 4-0 to him. So in Rio I was like, “I have lost before, now I have nothing left to lose, he is a much better player than me.” So, I said to myself, “Just give your best, play and enjoy.” Then I was able to win the first two sets and the match was a different spirit entirely.

“Against Timo Boll [Germany’s three-time Olympic medal winner, whom Aruna played in the fourth round] I was feeling the same way. I was aware the whole world was watching. But before Timo was able to understand my game; I was already 3-0 and it was really too late for him to come back. I stepped up my game and played without pressure because I knew all the players in the Olympic Games are very, very good.

“My performance in Rio really made table tennis much more popular in Nigeria. Whenever I am in the airport now so many officials recognise me now and on the streets, not just where I came from, so many people wave.

“More priority needs to be given to table tennis. Governments need to put people who want to work in sport in the right positions. I am supporting so many players, about six juniors. When I was young no one was able to support me, even with equipment, but these days I am able to help them, to give them equipment and let them play for free.

My wife was a very good player. Now she doesn’t play professionally. She plays for pleasure, but she is a very good training partner and sometimes she beats me. I am very thankful to her, she is always looking after the kids when I am not at home, which is one of the reasons she is not playing professionally anymore,” Quadri said.

For Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan, Quadri said: “Like every athlete, I want to do better than I have done before. I want better results in Tokyo. I am always thinking about it. That’s why I am playing in more and more tournaments: it’s preparation for difficult matches in Tokyo.”

Ambode for grand finale of 50th Asoju Oba Cup . Winners to get surprise packages

The sporting loving Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode is expected to the special guest at the grand finale of the 50^th Asoju oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Table Tennis Cup which ends on Friday November 30 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The governor whose support for table tennis has been confirmed with his presence at the last two finals of the ITTF Nigeria Open will again shows his support for the sport with his presence at the finals of the longest running table tennis tournament in Africa.

Aside the governor, dignitaries and friends of the late  instigator of the tournament, late Chief Dr Molade Okoya-Thomas will also be available to grace the colourful golden jubilee anniversary of the championship.

Already winners in the cadet, junior and doubles events have been decided but the icing on the cake for the players hold with surprise packages for the winners in the men and women singles events.

According to Deji Okoya-Thomas, the support of the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Sports Commission cannot be underestimated as the tournament continues to receive massive support from all and sundry even after the demise of the initiator three years ago.

“The Lagos State Government has always supported this competition in one way or the other. I must use this opportunity to thank past Governors who have shown immense support and graced the competition with their presence. We will also like to thank the present Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for continuing with this tradition of support for the competition and we hope he will present to witness the grand finale where we had prepared surprise packages for the winners this year,” he said.

Top Seeds March on At 50th Asoju Oba Cup

The status quo remains intact at the 50^th Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Table Tennis Cup as top seeds lived up to their billing after securing their places in the last eight of the competition.

Olajide Omotayo and Bose Odusanya worked their way into the quarterfinal of the men and women singles after recording easy win from the first round of the championship.

 

Also, second seeds – David Fayele and Nimota Aregbesola also marched into the last eight as winners emerged in the mixed doubles event of the competition.

The pairing of Fayele and Aregbesola claimed the first title after emerging winners in the mixed doubles event of the competition.

Fayele and Aregbesola convinced the fans with their victory over highly-rated Omotayo and Tolu Durosimi-Etti. The duo won 3-0 (11-5, 11-3, 11-9) to lift the trophy this year.

An exited Fayele admitted that the win was not without its challenges. “I feel so delighted and great winning this title with my partner. It was not really easy playing with our opponent but all the same I thank God for this great achievement,” said Fayele.

 Meanwhile the family of the late sponsor of the competition has promised to make the final on Friday November 30 an elaborate event. They however, ruled out making the tournament a national event.

“There is no immediate plan to make the competition national. The relationship with the Lagos state government and the people of Lagos has been very good and one we will like to see continue in the years to come. We must remember that Lagos is a cosmopolitan state so I am sure the benefit of the competition would have gone beyond the indigenes of the State,” said Deji Okoya-Thomas.

He added: “This year being the golden jubilee is unique and the arrangement going into it is much more than that last year and we hope this will translate into a memorable event. Fifty years is a very long time so the achievement of hosting this competition for that long must be well celebrated.”

Omotayo, Odusanya Are Top Seeds At 50th Asoju Oba Cup.

2013 men’s singles champion – Olajide Omotayo and women’s defending champion – Bose Odusanya are the top seeds in the senior event of the 50^th Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Table Tennis Cup which kicked off on Monday at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Italy-based Omotayo will contend with 63 other players while Odusanya will battle against 22 others in her bid to retain her title having won the title in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

2017 men’s singles runner’s up, David Fayele is the number two seed while Nimota Aregbesola is women’s second seeded players.

This year also witness the return of 2013 women’s singles champion, Tolu Durosimi-Etti who is seeded number four in the women’s singles.

According to the list of players, over 250 participants will be competing in the cadet, junior and senior categories with the boys’ junior dominating the list of competitors.

With the exit of the likes of Azeez Solanke, Rilwan Akanbi, Halimot Ayinla have decided to team up with other states for the forthcoming National Sports Festival, the coast is clear for the likes of Odusanya and Omotayo to claim the titles.

From Tuesday November 27, cadet and junior players will begin their campaigns in the singles as players from Indian Language School and Greensprings School will also be slugging it out in the events.

A confident Odusanya said she is hoping to set a new record by winning her fourth consecutive title in the competition. “I think it is possible for me to win again this year because I don’t see anybody troubling me this year. I am fully ready and I am eager to win the star prize for a reward for my efforts in the last four years,” she said.

Asoju Oba Cup Brought Me Fame, Fortune – Atanda Musa

Former African and Commonwealth table tennis Champion – Atanda Musa has admitted that taking part in the annual Asoju Oba Cup added colours to his life.

The New York-based Musa whose rivalry with the late Yomi Bankole became the climax of the tournament was full of appreciation to the late financier of the championship – Sir Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, describing him as a philanthropist with special passion for table tennis.

“My life will not complete without mentioning the vital role the Asoju Oba Cup played in my life and career. My 90 percent success in life was based on the support I got from Chief Okoya-Thomas when I was a level two coach with the Lagos State Sports Council while he was the chairman of the Council. 

Competing in the tournament from early 1980s really brought me into limelight in Nigeria and earned me a place in the national team. As the tournament usually takes place in December, it affords us the opportunity to win several gift items while my first car in life was through the tournament which I won after defeating Yomi Bankole in one of the finals,” Atanda Musa said.

Even as the family of the late business mogul in collaboration with Lagos State Sports Commission are planning elaborate 50^th anniversary of the competition this month, Atanda Musa said that he would forever remain grateful to Chief Okoya-Thomas having contributed immensely to his success on and off the table. 

“I cannot quantify the contribution of Chief Okoya-Thomas to my life because it was through the competition that I gained more experience playing against the seniors while I became the first table tennis player to win a brand new Peugeot Saloon car by competing in the competition.

 I must also commend the family for keeping and upholding the legacy of Chief Okoya-Thomas by staging the tournament despite the demise of the initiator,” he added.