Tennis on safe grounds despite Nigerians’ early exit, says NTTF

Table tennis

President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Ishaku Tikon, is optimistic that the country’s has a bright future despite its early ouster from the ongoing World Table Tennis Contender Championship, which ends today at the indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Tikon told The Guardian that Nigerian players did well against the world’s best stars at the competition, adding that more competitions and training programmes will make them better players.

He commended the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) for giving Nigeria the nod to host the WTT Contender Championshp, saying that the competition has put the country on the World map and also exposed Nigerian players to the best competitive atmosphere.

Tikon said: “NTTF is not worried by the ouster of Nigerian players in different categories of the WTT Contender Championship.

“You will be aware that some of the top Nigerian table tennis players like Aruna Qadri were not at the WTT Contender event. Also, you should understand that the world event is made up of the best players across the world.

“The draws for the championship was tough for most Nigerian players because they were paired with top ranked table tennis players. Nigeria had enough international preparations ahead of the WTT Contender event.

“Our target now is to expose the players to more international tournaments to have the experience to compete favorably with the best in the world. In the near future, Nigerian players will be celebrated in world table tennis.”

Players from over 20 countries are participating in the 2023 WTT contender Championship.

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