Nigeria’s dominance in table tennis has been under question in recent years. With countries like Egypt and recently Congo posing major threats, Nigeria has literally struggled in the ranks, clinging unto some titles and playing the second fiddle in some.

After the era of Atanda Musa and Yomi Bankole when Nigeria’s number one position in the continent was impeccable, the country’s ability to remain relevant in the continent has been drawn back through lack of competitions, poor sponsorship profile and poor motivation for the players who train without competitions.

However, Lagos state remains the most active with numerous competitions that have kept Nigerian players busy. One of the competitions, the annual Asoju Oba Cup is closed and open to only indigenes of the state.

Ekeji

In the midst of this, Nigeria remains a potential African champion in table tennis once the administrators of the sport in the country can put their acts together. The present board of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation is out to reclaim Nigeria’s rightful place in the continent. With the assistance of the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria table tennis team preparing for the All Africa Games has had one of the best preparations in recent times. Apart from months of camping in Ibadan, the team has been to invitational tournaments in Africa, Europe and Asia

Believing in strength of his team, Secretary General of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Segun Oguntade did not mince words when he said the team was targeting seven gold medals at the forth coming All Africa Games, holding between September 3 and 18 in Maputo, Mozambique.

“We are going to win no fewer than seven gold medals at the All Africa Games in Mozambique,” Oguntade said, adding, “we are ready for Africa and strongly believe we can achieve our target.”

He mentioned countries like Egypt and Congo as likely to be problematic rivals but swore to do everything possible to ensure the target was met.

Oguntade said the team had been well motivated and the players were raring to go. “We can’t wait for the games to begin. It is time we reassert our position in Africa. We are ready.”

The Nigerian table tennis team include Segun Toriola, Monday Morotohun, Aruna Quadiri, Seun Ajetunmobi and Kassim Nosiru while the female members of the team are Funke Oshonaike, Wedem Offiong, Jannet Effiom, Cecilia Otu-Akpan and Halima Hussain