Nigerian contingents have continued to dominate the ongoing Western Region World Championships Qualifications tagged “2022 Festival of Table Tennis”, putting up a good show as seven players already qualified for the quarter-finals.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ongoing Western Region World Championships Qualifications for the 2023 World Championships in Durban, South Africa, featured contingents from Benin Republic, Togo, Mali, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Niger Republic and host Nigeria.
The regional qualifications that served off on Thursday, are being hosted at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
However, at the end of the preliminary of the event for male and female singles, Nigeria has number two (2) ranked table tennis Omeh Amadi, Etim Orok, and Rilwan Akanbi all qualifying for the quarter-finals of the male singles.
For the female singles, record seven time winners of the Asoju Oba Table Tennis, Abosede Odusanya, Aminat Fashola, Fatimo Bello, and Ojomu Ajoke all qualified for the quarter-finals.
In the male singles, Amadi beat Oba Don Cedric from Cote D’Ivoire in three-set, while Orok also defeated Adobu Amir Atanda from Benin Republic.
In the female singles pairing, Odusanya also whitewashed Rebecca Hounou from Cote D’Ivoire.
Fashola also beat Millicent Ankude from Ghana, while Ojomu fought from a set down to defeat Tatania Aka from Cote D’Ivoire by 3-1 and Bello beat Mirellie Leba from Cote D’Ivoire.
Nigeria’s Odusanya told NAN that she had adequately prepared for the competition, adding that she would give her all not only to qualify but win the tournament.
“I am well prepared ahead of this tournament; I don’t want to give any room for an upset. I will ensure that I qualify and win the tournament as well.”
“I cannot underestimate any opponent at this stage because we are all potential winners, but with God on my side, I will carry the day,” she said.
Odusanya’s compatriot, Fashola noted that with the way the qualifications were going, there were chances that the Nigerian players would have to meet, hence everyone had a chance.
“With the present situation, we are sure to meet ourselves at the knockout stage, at the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.”
“I am ready for my counterparts, like Odusanya, Ojomu, and others. We have played among ourselves and we know ourselves very well. I will do my part of the training and expect a good show,” she told NAN.
For Amadi, his target was to be the winner of the male singles.
“I want to better my performance in the last event last year when I lost out in the Semi-finals. This time I want to win the competition,” he said.