Despite Nigeria’s early exit from the ongoing WTT Contender Lagos 2023, Ishaku Tikon, the President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), remains positive about the country’s future in the sport.
Tikon expressed his satisfaction with the performance of Nigerian players, acknowledging their efforts against some of the world’s top table tennis stars. He emphasized that increased participation in competitions and focused training programs would further enhance their skills and capabilities.
Tikon also praised the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) for granting Nigeria the opportunity to host the WTT Contender Championship. According to him, this event has not only placed Nigeria on the global table tennis map but has also exposed Nigerian players to a highly competitive environment, enabling them to gain valuable experience.
The NTTF President made it clear that the federation is not disheartened by the elimination of Nigerian players in various categories of the championship. He pointed out that some of Nigeria’s top table tennis players, such as Aruna Qadri, were not present at the WTT Contender event. Furthermore, he highlighted that the tournament consisted of the world’s best players, making the draws challenging for most Nigerian participants. Tikon stressed that Nigeria had undertaken sufficient international preparations prior to the WTT Contender event.
Looking ahead, Tikon outlined the NTTF’s objective of exposing Nigerian players to more international tournaments, enabling them to compete on par with the world’s finest. He expressed confidence that in the near future, Nigerian table tennis players would be celebrated globally for their exceptional skills and achievements.
The 2023 WTT Contender Championship, taking place at the indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, has attracted players from over 20 countries. This multinational participation signifies the significance of the tournament and provides Nigerian players with a valuable platform to showcase their talent and progress in the sport.
