Nigeria name squad for ITTF world junior tourney

The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has named an eight-man team for the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Junior Championships holding in Cape Town, South Africa.

The boys’ team will be led by national junior champion, Amadi Omeh as well as Azeez Solanke, Tobi Falana and Rilwan Akanbi while the girls’ team will be spearheaded by national junior sensation, Tosin Esther Oribamise. Others are Ajoke Ojomu, Alimot Ayinla and Agnes Onoja.

The team will compete for honours in the singles, doubles and team events of the championships, which runs from November 30 to December 7.

According to the President of NTTF, Wahid Oshodi, the tournament would be used to groom female players for the senior national team and add more male players to the senior team.

“I hope we will be able to remedy the lack of quality female players in the senior team with the girls’ team going to the World Junior Championships in South Africa. The four young girls on that team need to grab this opportunity and start to build a serious career for themselves. In all this, I must continue to give credit to Olufunke Oshonaike that despite all her years in the game, she continues to show great commitment to the cause of our country and we hope these girls can take a cue from her,” Oshodi said.

Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria including host – South Africa will represent Africa at the eight-day championships.

Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt will present boys’ and girls’ teams, while Tunisia will have its boys’ team with Algeria presenting its girls’ team for the competition.

Over 24 countries will present 96 boys and 96 girls that will slug it out in the individual and team events of the competition.