Nigerians talk tough ahead of Valuejet Para-Table Tennis Open

Nigerian players aiming to be part of the maiden Valuejet Para Table Tennis Open believe they will not be pushovers against the visitors.

Already, eight countries including host – Nigeria have been confirmed for the three-day tournament billed for the Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

From Nosiru Sule, Atlanta 96 Paralympic bronze medalist, the tournament is a good opportunity for upcoming players to showcase their talents.

“I am so excited that we are hosting this kind of championship for the first time in Nigeria. There is no doubt that the presence of teams from Egypt and South Africa will make the tournament competitive and I am sure Nigerian players will not want to play second fiddle to the visitors. Having featured in three Paralympic Games, this is good development for Nigeria that our players will have the opportunity to test might with their foreign counterparts in Africa,” Sule said.

Like Sule, Faith Obazuaye, a silver medalist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, this is another platform for her to display her talents particularly against the visiting teams.

“When I won the class 10 in Egypt earlier this year, many people were still doubting my ability and now that we are hosting an international tournament, I hope I can show them what I am capable of doing. It promises to be exciting in Lagos and I am eagerly looking forward to make the podium,” the class 10 African champion said.

Tajudeen Agunbiade, who has already secured his passage to Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Japan, says the tournament would give the players opportunity to shake off their rustiness after the qualifiers in Egypt earlier this year.