Sports
PARTICIPANTS from more than 28 states have so far registered for the annual Michael & Felicia Alabi Memorial National Championship, the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) confirmed on Sunday.
A statement by the NTTF obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, also indicated that the NTTF-sanctioned national ranking event will take place in Osun State from April 22 to 26.
The NTTF also stated that the list of entries received included 53 men and 38 women would compete in the senior singles event.
According to the statement, more than 34 players will jostle for honours in the U-15 singles event.
It stated that the para and veteran events also received large entries for this year.
The yearly championships is organised by the Osun State Table Tennis Association (OSTTA) with technical support from NTTF.
Sponsored by the Micheal & Felicia Alabi Memorial as well as Canada-based Healthcare outfit, the championship has been attracting top players.
Tournament referee John Peters described the turnout as a result of the upgrading of the championships to national ranking event.
He also said that the hospitality by the sponsors encouraged teams to identify with the fourth edition of the championship.
“We are indeed overwhelmed by the turnout of teams for this year’s event because making it a national ranking event will help NTTF to identify talents as well as rate the players based on their performance in national events.
“It is going to be exciting this year looking at the quality of players that have been confirmed for the tournament.
“It promises to be explosive as this is the only tournament to be staged nationally this year.
“We are expecting several upsets especially from the junior players who have been doing well lately and for me, I see new champions emerging in all the events,” Peters said.
The former ITTF blue badge umpire also lauded the sponsor for keeping faith with the annual staging of the tournament.
He also urged other corporate bodies and individuals to support table tennis in Nigeria. (NAN)
15th April, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: NTTF
