Sports
THE national parabtable tennis coach, Nasiru Bello, says he is optimistic his team will win medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the table tennis events of the games will begin on Thursday and end on Sept. 7.
Sule told newsmen in Paris on Sunday that Nigeria’s eight-man squad was determined to return to the country with medals.
The team, consisting of six men and two women, will compete in the doubles, mixed doubles and singles events.
Nigeria has a proud history in Paralympics table tennis, with two gold and three bronze medals since their first win at Atlanta in 1996.
Sule, who won a bronze medal in Atlanta, believes the team’s extensive preparation in Nigeria and Germany has prepared it for success in Paris.
“I think we had one of the best preparations this year because we have been in camp since June before leaving for Germany, and this has given us enough time to work on our tactics for the Games.
“There is no doubt that this will be the most competitive Paralympic Games because there are lots of good players taking part in Paris.
“We are aware of this and we are ready to face it squarely, because to be the best you must beat the best,” he said.
Isau Ogunkunle, the current African champion in men’s singles Class 4, said his aim was to surpass his quarter-final finish at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
“It was a good experience for me in Tokyo, where I made it to the quarter-finals being my first outing. This time around, I am well prepared for the Paris Games and I know it is not going to be easy just like it was in Tokyo.
“With the guidance of the technical crew which had exposed us to some of our possible opponents, I think we are battle-ready for the challenges in Paris.
“I am confident I will return home with something from Paris,” the Birmingham 2020 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist said.
NAN reports that Team Nigeria women’s squad includes Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi (Class 5) and Faith Bazuaye (Class 10).
The men’s team has Ogunkunle (Class 4), Kayode Alabi (Class 6), Abiola Adesope (Class 9), Bolawa Akingbemisilu (Class 5), Victor Farinloye (Class 8), and four-time Paralympian Olufemi Alabi (Class 10).
The para table tennis events will take place at the South Paris Arena.
The men’s singles events will feature 11 classes, while the women’s singles will have 10 classes, with classes 1 and 2 combined.
Meanwhile, there will also be doubles events at the 2024 Paris Games, returning to the Paralympics stage for the first time since 1976.
These include two men’s doubles and two women’s doubles events for both wheelchair and standing athletes, as well as one mixed doubles event for each category.
However, there will be no doubles events for athletes in class 11, unlike at the previous Games.(NAN)
A.I
Aug. 25, 2024
Tags: 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Nasiru Bello
