Nigeria defeats Qatar, Iraq in ITTF Egypt Junior Open

Nigeria on Monday began their campaign at the International Table Tennis Federation World Junior Circuit in Egypt with wins over Qatar and Iraq.

The boys junior team, led by Olasunkanmi Oginni, were in good form against the Qataris as they defeated the highly-rated Gulf team 3-1 before following it with a 3-0 win over Iraq to set up a final group clash against Egypt Team B.

Also, the junior girls team, led by Esther Oribamise, defeated the Egypt Team D 3-1 to record their first group win in the event.

In the cadet event, the boys team, headed by Abayomi Animasahun, beat the Egypt Team D 3-0 while the Nigerian girls team of Muibat Bello and Vivian Oku fell 3-0 to Egypt Team D.

Meanwhile, some of the Nigerian players at the tournament expressed their happiness at featuring in their first international competition in Egypt.

The players, Abayomi Animasahun and Muibat Bello, believed coming to Egypt would add to their knowledge of the sport.

Abayomi, who defeated Egypt’s Ammar Attia 3-0, was delighted with his first international win.

“For me to be here in Egypt is a great privilege I will forever cherish in my life,” the 12-year-old said.

“This is indeed the beginning of my career. It is a rare opportunity for me to be considered among the over 200 million people in Nigeria. It has always been my desire to move out of Nigeria and play table tennis and I am happy the dream finally came to pass. It is an honour to be here and I thank the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation for the exposure.”

For 11-year-old Bello, who lost her first match in the tournament, coming to Egypt would afford her the chance to improve on her game.

She said, “I am here to improve on my skills as a player. I am also here to win medals as well as learn some new techniques from my opponents from other countries.

“After the competition, I know I won’t go back home the same way I came because I would have acquired more knowledge. I hope to return to Nigeria to continue to work hard and build on the new things that I have learnt at the tournament.”