SPORTS
West Africa Table-Tennis Championships’ll Get Players World Ranking by ITTF
The on-going 2021 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Western Region Championships will help to boost the ranking of participating players.
The declaration was made in Lagos yesterday by Ishaku Tikon, President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF).
The championship began on Monday at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Tikon noted that newly-discovered players had proven that the Federation did not waste resources in preparing them for the competition.
He commended the Nigerian players for giving their best at the competition.
“I am impressed with the standard of game going on, the Western region has just proved that we are not lagging behind.
“This is an ITTF-sanctioned competition and it will help the ranking of the region in the world.
“In fact in the African continent I am proud to say that my region which is the Western Region is on top from the exploits and fireworks I have seen here.
“What is going on presently on this second day of the championships shows that by Wednesday, getting to the semi-finals, the level of play will be of higher standards,’’ he said.
Tikon noted that one of the female players, Fatimo Bello, had qualified for the finals and would defend her title.
“Bello has just qualified for the finals beating her opponent 3 – 0 in the game of six, so she is still on top of her game.
“I am also sure of three other players. Two of them that are new breed have so far proved that we have not wasted our time on them.
“We are really impressed with the new players discovered so I want to tell you that so much surprises will be coming in the finals,” he said.
an umpire at the competition, Mr John Peters, said the tourney would ensure the players got unto the ITTF ranking calendar.
He noted that the championships would help the players to earn more points to enable them to get ranked by the ITTF.
“This is the second edition and ITTF is watching how we organise and how we do things.
“The competition has been fantastic, entertaining and interesting and it is good that it is happening in Nigeria.
“We are proud to host one of the toughest tournaments in recent times and everyone is happy to be entertained by top class table tennis players.
“Some of them are not in the senior category; particularly those from Ghana. We have two young girls who are entertaining us so high.
“We are sure that in years to come, one of these two girls will be a champion in Africa,” Peters said. (NAN)
Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia on Saturday defeated Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0 in a pulsating North Central derby.
The matchday 16 fixture of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premiere Football League (NPFL) was played at the Lafia Township Stadium, Nasarawa State capital.
The Makurdi side had adopted the Lafia Township Stadium as their home ground for the 2024/2025 NPFL season.
The only goal of the match was scored by Qamar Adegoke in the 12th minute of the match to give all three points to the Lafia side.
Adegoke’s goal, who joined the Lafia team recently, was his second in four matches.
The Nasarawa attacker capitalised on a defensive error by the opponent’s backline and hit the back of the net to give Nasarawa United the advantage.
In a post-match interview, Kabir Dogo, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, hailed his players for taking all three points.
He explained that his team had improved by scoring five goals in their last three matches and expressed optimism that they would do better in subsequent games.
“We had a problem in the area of goal scoring in the past, but this has changed in our last three games,” he said.
With the win, Nasarawa United climbed to 14th on the NPFL table, while Lobi Stars remain on 17th position. (NAN)
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) is organising a two-day National Coaching Seminar, with the theme: “Leadership and Management Skills”.
The event will take place from Dec. 17 to Dec. 18, at the Additional Sports and Entertainment (ASEP) Pro Limited, in Mowe, Ogun State.
The seminar will enhance the capabilities of Nigerian table tennis coaches, with a particular emphasis on female coaches, aligning with the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Initiative.
A statement issued by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, on Tuesday, said that the seminar was part of the one-week sports and leadership boot camp titled “Awaken the Giant, She Can 4.
0,” proudly supported by NTTF.“This seminar will also represent the third stage of the 2024 “My Gender, My Strength” programme, which has table tennis star Abosede Akinsete, as a beneficiary.
“NTTF President,Tikon Ishaku, Vice President, Adesoji Tayo, and other board members are dedicated to initiatives that support the development of coaches.
“Wahid Enitan-Oshodi, ITTF Executive Vice President, and President of ITTF-Africa, reaffirms his commitment to empowering women in sports, in line with the GEDI Initiative.
He explained that the seminar would feature people, who would speak on leadership and management skills, to enhance the abilities of coaches to identify and develop talents, as well as encourage the development of high-performance table tennis players capable of competing globally. (NAN)
Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt on Sunday returned to the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) summit as strong rivals Remo Stars FC faltered on Match Day 13.
Report says that Rivers United beat visiting Abia Warriors of Umuahia 1-0 after an Ndifreke Effiong 58th minute goal from the penalty kick spot.
Effiong’s goal in the match at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium helped them to move to 25 points from 13 matches, after seven wins, four draws and two losses.
Former leaders Remo Stars dropped to second with 23 points from 13 matches after seven wins, two draws and four losses, following a 0-2 loss to hosts Katsina United.
Plateau United of Jos beat visiting Nasarawa United of Lafia 2-0 to bolster their position.
Shooting Stars Sports Club also struggled to a 1-0 win over visiting Bayelsa United of Yenago.
A 15th minute goal by Anthony Okachi at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan gave them the win.
El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri had on Saturday beaten Akwa United of Uyo 1-0 to move into third place on the table with 22 points from 13 games.
Enyimba International of Aba remained in fourth place with 20 points from 12 matches, with their week 13 game against Sunshine Stars of Akure on hold.
Rangers International of Enugu are in fifth place with 20 points also, after a goalless draw with hosts Heartland FC ain Owerri on Saturday.
Bendel Insurance of Benin had also beaten Kwara United of Ilorin 3-1, while Lobi Stars of Makurdi drew 2-2 with visiting Kano Pillars in Lafia.
NAN reports that the league will enter Match Day 14 on Wednesday.(NAN)
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