by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF Member Relations Press Officer

Ferdinand Sounou, Vice President ITTF Africa Western Region, who is also President of Benin Republic Table Tennis Association, was delighted with the quality of the organisation.

“I am happy with the success of the tournament. The warm hospitality of the people of Lagos added great quality to the tournament. I hope and believe the next host will improve on what Nigeria has done.

We have also seen talents coming on board and we hope we can have more of them attaining and exceeding the heights set by Quadri Aruna at the global level.” Ferdinand Sounou

Germain Karou

Equally, Germain Karou, Secretary-General, ITTF Africa Western Region and Vice President of the African Table Tennis Federation, was equally elated.

“I am impressed with what Nigeria has put up, particularly the standard of play from the players. We hope and believe Nigeria will continue to lead the region so that others can come up and compete favourably with them at continental and global levels.

I am really satisfied with what I have witnessed in Lagos with the quality of organisation and hospitality put in place by the Local Organising Committee, led by our amiable Deputy President, Africa Table Tennis Federation, Wahid Enitan Oshodi.

We have seen new talents unearthed and we hope that all these talents will be nurtured to become world-beaters like Quadri Aruna.

From the first day of the tournament, I am yet to receive any complaint from the teams and players, and this has again gone to show that Nigeria is capable of hosting major tournaments at a short notice. We are really happy that the second edition has raised the standard of the tournament again this year.” Germain Karou

Ishaku Tikon

High praise from Ferdinand Sounou and Germain Karou, it was the same from Ishaku Tikon, President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation.

“I believe that with what we have started in the region, we can continue to be competitive in Africa and the world at large. The region will not relent in its efforts to produce world champions.

There are plans to make the tournament a permanent feature in the ITTF calendar. I must commend all the players and the delegates for their understanding. Let us all continue to raise the profile of the sport in the region.” Ishaku Tikon

Wahid Enitan Oshodi

Meanwhile for Wahid Enitan Oshodi, Deputy President of Africa Table Tennis Federation and chair of the Local Organising Committee, he was in no doubt that there is abundant talent in the region.

Moreover, he stressed that the organisation had followed principles established by the International Table Tennis Federation and the Lagos State Government, complying with the protocols required by the panemic.

“We are happy to have staged the second edition under strict compliance to Covid-19 protocol and we are happy that all our participants complied with the laid down rules. No incident was reported, the players and delegates conducted themselves very well during the tournament.

We hope and believe other regions in Africa will take a cue from this. We thank the Lagos State Government for providing the enabling environment for the tournament and we must also thank our sponsors – Baba Ijebu Bet, Prime Atlantic, and Delanyard – for keeping faith with us in this pandemic period.” Wahid Enitan Oshodi

Alongside Nigeria, players from Benin Republic, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Togo competed.