Sports
TEAM Nigeria will face stiff opposition when the para-table tennis competition of the 2024 Paralympic Games gets underway on Thursday in Paris.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team has been drawn against formidable British and Chinese opponents in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles events.
The draws for the two events were conducted on Monday at the competition’s South Paris Arena venue, with the competitors slugging it out over 10 days.
Kayode Alabi and Faith Obazuaye will compete in the mixed doubles event, taking on Great Britain’s pair of Joshua Stacey and Bly Twomey.
Alabi joins Victor Farinloye to take on the Chinese pair of Huang Jiaxin and Peng Weinan in the men’s doubles.
He and Obazuaye will start their campaign from the Round of 32, while he joins Farinloye to seek glory in the Round of 16 of the men’s doubles.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Alabi who is the African champion in Class 6 said they were ready to take on the challenge and come out unscathed.
“We are ready for any opponent we face, because we are well prepared for the challenge in Paris.
“There is no doubt that we are facing strong opponents, but we are not going to give up easily and we hope to progress to the next stage,” he said.
Team coach Nasiru Sule is also optimistic about their chances, even though he acknowledged the difficulties ahead of them.
“It is not going to be easy at all because they are a strong team, but we will give our best.”
NAN reports that 280 athletes will compete in 31 medal events in para-table tennis at the Paris Games.
This no doubt showcases the sport’s remarkable evolution and rising popularity, given that the Rome 1960 Paralympics had approximately 130 athletes competing in 11 medal events.
NAN reports that the draws for the men’s and women’s singles events will hold on Friday.(NAN)
A.I
Aug. 28, 2024
Tags: Faith Obazuaye Kayode Alabi Team Nigeria
