ITTF Confirms Date For 2016 Lagos Open

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has confirmed the annual Lagos Open among the 20 World Tours listed for 2016.

With the ongoing Hungarian Open kick-starting the 20 anniversary of the ITTF World Tour, the world table tennis ruling body has confirmed Lagos Open to hold on May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

International Table Tennis Federation, ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos,

As one the challenge series, the Lagos Open is expected to attract players from Europe, Asia and Africa as the tournament serves as one on the point hauling events to qualify for the World Tour Finals.

Meanwhile, the ITTF World Tour celebrates its 20 years’ anniversary with the 2016 ITTF World Tour kicking off in Budapest, Hungary.

The then called ITTF Pro Tour first kicked off in Kettering, England in 1996 and has seen 291 events happen since, growing from strength to strength each year.

On the historic anniversary of the world’s biggest table tennis tour, ITTF’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Judit FARAGO stated: “20 years after introducing the professional tour in table tennis, we are glad that the all-year long competition format has grown to be a core element of the ITTF competition program.

Lagos ITTF World Tour (Lagos Open)

“This year, five continents are included in the series which gives excellent opportunity for the top players to improve their seeding position for the Olympic Games by gaining valuable World Ranking points. Also for those players to succeed at the World Tour who cannot realise their dream at Rio 2016. The great interest is shown already at the very first event, the Hungarian Open where the last year’s participation record will be broken with 378 entries from 56 countries.”

Nigeria’s Quadri Ends 2015 in top 50, as Assar remains Africa’s best

From starting the year among the top 30 players in the world, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri ended 2015 as number 50 according to the latest ranking released on Tuesday by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

However, Egypt’s Omar Assar, who started the year as number 43 finished as Africa’s best rated player in the world by occupying 31st in the latest ITTF ranking.

This year, Quadri featured in more than five ITTF World Circuits with his best being the Lagos Open where he played in the final against Assar. But in Europe, he took part in the German, Spanish, Polish, Croatia and Swedish Opens while he was also in Kuwait and Qatar Opens where he managed to make it to the last 32 in some of this tournaments. His best outing in Europe was at the Croatia Open where he made it to the last 16.

In Africa, twice he played second fiddle to Egypt’s Assar at the African Senior Cup in Cameroun and African Games in Congo Brazzaville.

Despite these, Quadri, whose performance at the 2014 World Cup in Germany earned him the 2014 ITTF Star Player award attracted a lot of European teams from Germany and France but the Oyo State-athlete decided to pitch his tent with Jura Morez in the French elite league, while he also features for Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

Aruna Quadri

Former national coach, Babatunde Obisanya believes Quadri has not utilised his potential considering the rare skills possess by the player. “I think Quadri has not really lived up to expectations considering the kind of potential he has. For a player to make it to the top 30, it is no child’s play and for him to have ended the year at 50 shows that he needs to work harder in 2016. I believe he can remain among the top 20 but he just needs to get the cooperation of those that matter in the sport \. I believe he can make it up there in 2016 if he continues to work hard,” Obisanya said.

There Is Room For Sports To Improve In Lagos – Oshodi

After taking sports to greater height in Lagos State as the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Oshodi believes there is still room for sports to thrive in the state.

Oshodi, whose tenure brought a lot of sports vibrancy and programmes in the state admitted, “There is always room for improvement. I think I would have focused more on school sports because going to the foundation is the only way we will succeed as a nation. Get the children playing different sports from primary school, which was the case forty years ago and we have done a lot in this area but there is a lot of scope for improvement,” he said.

NTTF President, Wahid Oshodi (back row) with board of directors of Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation (CTTF) in Suzhou, China

Oshodi, who is a board member of the Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation (CTTF), attributed the success recorded by the state to the enormous support he got from Governor Babatunde Fashola.

“It has been very easy working with Governor Fashola, but more than that it has been an absolute delight. Indeed any success we have achieved during my tenure is based on the support I received from him. He is not only supportive but is extremely knowledgeable about sports, which has helped me a great deal. When you have a boss who not only supports you but also has vast knowledge and intelligence, it helps to keep you sharp and motivated, which ultimately brings out the best in you,” he said.

Wahid Enitan Oshodi Receiving his Award as Administrator of the year at the Nigerian Sports Award 2014

He added: “The support we received from the Governor, my colleagues in the Executive Council and the international and national federations across this sports was wonderful. The Lagos Classics brought together a wide range of Government and private sector officials to work together and the results we achieved were fantastic. It is common to put down Civil and Public servants in this country but my experience with many of them was wonderful. To put together events that attract world class international athletes takes a lot of planning. I must thank and congratulate all those involved from the Immigration Services who oversaw the arrival of foreign guests, protocol officers, security services down to our sports officers in Lagos who went above the call of duty and this was what made the event a success. It gives me great pride to have led such an excellent team. Lagos is now the centre of sports tourism this side of Africa.”

International Table Tennis Federation, ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos,

Oshodi also reiterated Lagos State stance on the use of professional athletes for the National Sports Festival.

“Our view in Lagos since the days of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been consistent. The NSF should be an avenue for seeking out new young talent who can then grow into national stars. The participation of our elite athletes in the NSF serves no purpose. I make bold to say that this is just a concoction for those states who judge their development only by the medals they win. It would even be understandable if they developed many of these elite athletes they intend to use but in many cases they just use their superior funding to buy over young men and women who have been developed by Coaches in Lagos and other states that have grassroots programmes. Either way we will continue to develop our young athletes and they will continue to represent us in the NSF,” he explained.

Oribamishe, Hassan lead Team Nigeria to ITTF WJC in Egypt

National junior champion, Tosin Oribamishe and Lagos Open revelation, Nurudeen Hassan will lead Team Nigeria to next month’s International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Junior Circuit (WJC) holding in Egypt.

Oribamishe, who won the Aso tournament recently in Abuja, will be joined by southpaw, Halimot Ayinla, Muibat Bello and two others in the girls’ event.

Hassan, whose performance at the 2015 Lagos Open is still a point of reference will be tasting his first international tournament outside the shores of Nigeria when he spearheads the boys’ team which includes, African Youth Games champion, Olasunkanmi Oginni as well as teenage sensation, Abayomi Animashaun.

Nigeria junior players will be returning to the world stage after missing the Mauritius Open last April and their presence in Egypt will surely give teams like Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria a tough challenge at the competition holding from June 8 to 12.

However, the President, African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy is excited about the presence of Nigeria in Egypt. He was particularly thrilled by the new ultra modern hall that will host the five-day championship.

HASSAN Nurudeen of Nigeria

“Playing in a brand new venue “6 October” in Giza – Egypt quite closer to the Pyramids which will add some special taste to the event, and I am expecting bigger number of entries,” he said.

El-Salhy admits that this event would serve as a platform to unearth new stars for the continent.

“This kind of ITTF sanctioned event for sure is the main factory to build up our African players and to present them to the World scene. I have to thank the African countries hosting such events this year (Nigeria WT, Tunisia JC, Mauritius JC & now Egypt JC) while in the previous years we had also Morocco WT & Algeria JC,” he added.

“Till now, I know that Nigeria and the host – Egypt already sent entries, I am expecting more entries from the northern parts (Libya, Tunisia & Algeria) plus possible entries from Congo Brazzaville & Angola. Also, as I said Egypt and Nigeria could get some good exposure, and I am looking out for Youssef Abdel-Aziz (EGY) in Cadet Boys & Tosin Oribamishe (NGR) in Cadet Girls,” he said.

Assar Tops Quadri In ITTF World Tour Standings

For winning the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour, Lagos Open title at the weekend, Egypt’s Omar Assar occupies number 11 in the ITTF World Tour Men’s Standings released by the world table tennis ruling body.

The Egyptian who clinched his second title in Lagos has amassed 125 points from the two World Tours he has attended this year to top Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri, who also made the list of top 20 players in the singles standings.

However, Quadri partnership with Kazeem Makanjuola made it to the top 10 of the men’s doubles in the standing following their triumph at the Lagos Open over the weekend.

In the list of eligible players for the end-of-the-year World Tour Finals, Egypt’s Assar is the highest listed African player in the standing. Assar is placed at number 11, alongside Austria’s Robert Gardos with same points.

This year, Quadri has attended three World Tours, as he is placed at 17 with 75 points in the singles, while the victory recorded in his partnership with Makanjuola in the men’s doubles as placed them in number nine globally.

To be listed among the elite names in the world, Assar has made two appearances, the previous one being in Kuwait when he was beaten in the first round by China’s Fan Zhendong.

Egypt’s Omar Assar and Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri during the presentation for the men’s singles final won by the Egyptian at the just concluded ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium at the weekend

Nigeria’s Kazeem Makanjuola and Aruna Quadri with Portugal’s Diogo Silva and Andre Silva during the presentation for the men’s doubles final won by Nigeria at the just concluded ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium at the weekend.

Aruna is at no.17 with 75 points, being level with Korea’s Cho Eonrae, Jeong Samgeun and Kim Minseok, in addition to Poland’s Daniel Gorak and Hong Kong’s Tang Peng.

Belarus’ Vladimir Samsonov continues to lead with 525 points and closely followed by China’s Ma Long, who has 500 points.

Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan is in third place with 300 points; a position he shares with Portugal’s Marcos Freitas, Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov and China’s Xu Xin.

Also, women’s singles champion at the Lagos Open, Portugal’s Shao Jieni established her name in the Women’s Singles Standings. She is at no.16 with 100 points); a position she shares with Korea’s Jeon Jihee, Hong Kong’s Lee Ho Ching, Japan’s Misako Wakamiya and Germany’s Wu Jiaduo in addition to the Chinese duo of Chen Meng and Wu Yang.

Lagos Open’s runner’s up, Egypt’s Dina Meshref is now at no.31 on the Standings (50 points), a position she shares with the Chinese Taipei’s Chen Szu-Yu and Cheng I-Ching as well as with Turkey’s Hu Melek, Monaco’s Yang Xiaoxin and Singapore’s Yu Mengyu.

Portugal’s Shao Jieni and Egypt’s Dina Meshref with Nigeria’s Edem Offiong and Cecilia Akpan during the presentation for the women’s doubles final at the just concluded ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium at the weekend

However, on the Under 21 Women’s Singles Standings, Meshref is very much amongst the leading names, as she is with Jieni on the Women’s Doubles listings, the pair being crowned champions in Lagos.

On the Under 21 Women’s Singles Standings, Meshref is at no.7 (200 points); on the Women’s Doubles order of merit, with Jieni, she is at no.12 (100 points).

Meanwhile, Aruna and Makanjuola are now listed at no.9 on the Men’s Doubles Standings with 100 points, with the combination of Portugal’s Marcos Freitas and Croatia’s Andrej Gacina (550 points) topping the standing.

A first appearance of the year for Quadri and Makunjuola, as a Men’s Doubles partnership; it was also the same scenario for Egypt’s Shady Magdy, the winner of the Under 21 Men’s Singles title in Lagos.

ATTF President Wants Okoya-Thomas’ Table Tennis Legacy Sustained

The President, Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy took time out at the just concluded ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open to pay a condolence visit to the family of late Sir Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas at their Victoria Island residence in Lagos, Nigeria.

The ATTF boss was accompanied by the ATTF Vice President and member, ITTF Board of Director, Olabanji Oladapo as well as Former Deputy President of ITTF, Engineer George Segun including board member, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) led by their President, Wahid Oshodi.

Before his demise on February 1, 2015 at 79, Okoya-Thomas was the longest individual sponsor of table tennis tournament in Africa as he had bankrolled the annual Asoju Oba Cup for 45 years uninterrupted and the tournament has produced some of the continent’s greatest players like Atanda Musa, Late Yomi Bankole and Biola Odumosu.

The team was received by the children of the departed philanthropist, Mr. Deji Okoya-Thomas, Ms. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas and Mrs. Tosin Alobo-Bakare.

In his remarks, The ATTF helmsman described the late Okoya-Thomas as a strong supporter of table tennis in Africa and the visit became necessary in order to symphatise with the family as well as acknowledge the immense contribution that the business mogul made in Nigeria.

Sir Molade Okoya-Thomas’ daughter, Mrs Tosin Alobo-Bakare; ATTF President, Khaled El-Salhy; Children of the deceased, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas and Deji Okoya-Thomas with NTTF President,Wahid Oshodi during the visit on Thursday.

“On behalf of ITTF, ATTF and NTTF, we want to express our sincere condolence to the family for the exit of this great man. What he has done confirmed that he was a great man who used his wealth to promote a cause that has changed the lives of so many individuals in Nigeria. We believe this great and respectable has gone but his ideals will still remain with us. He has been a strong supporter of the game and he necessitated the birth of the Lagos Open. We hope that his ideal will be preserved and nurtured by the family even as we hope that others in the continent will emulate this great man. We feel the pain of the family and we believe his soul will rest in peace,” El-Salhy said.

For Oladapo, the late Okoya-Thomas was a shining example for all Nigerians considering his humility and generousity toward everybody. “He never stopped sponsoring the tournament which started in 1968 and has produced the likes of Babatunde Obisanya, former Nigeria national coach as well as Atanda Musa, a star in Africa. We just hope that his dream and aspiration will not be allowed to just go like that. We will surely miss him in our midst but we take solace in the fact that the has gone to rest finally with the Lord.” Obisanya said.

Responding on behalf of the family, Deji Okoya-Thomas thanked ITTF and ATTF for deeming it fit to visit the family, while assuring that they their late father’s legacy will be nurtured to grow. “I am assuring you again that the Asoju Oba Cup will continue and this has been the wish of our father and we hope to make it more exciting. Thank you for this golden visit,” he said.

The late chief of Lagos was buried on Friday March 6 in Lagos.

ITTF WORLD TOUR (LAGOS OPEN) DAY 4

Winner International Table Tennis Federation, ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open, Men’s Under21 Shagdy Magdy of Egypt

The Round of 16, Quarter Finals and Semi-finals of games (Singles & Doubles) went down today at the Dr.Molade Okoya Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

There were lots exciting moments to savour as Table Tennis supporters from far and wide came to watch the best players in Africa and in the world do their thing.

Nigerian Athletes have proven their worth as Ojo Onaolapo, Aruna Quadri, Funke Oshonaike and Edem Effiong have all made it to the semi-finals in the singles event.

The future also look good for Nigeria as far as table tennis is concerned as we saw a scintillating performance from Hassan Nurudeen who seems to be getting better as the day goes by and who might end up winning the U-21 title next year.

Dina Meshref at the International Table Tennis Federation, ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Togo

The Foreign players have also put up fine displays in this tournament like Jieni Shao, Dina Meshref, Andre Silva, El-Belaili Mohammed.

DAY 4

RESULTS(Doubles)

MEN

QUARTER FINAL

* A.Silva & D.Siva def A.Ogunalade & O.Omotayo (3-1)

* K.Assar & O. Assar def O.Guinganfode & M.Olabiyi (3-0)

* El-Beiali & S.Magdy def M.Fathy & A.Mabrouk (3-0)

* Q.Aruna & M.Kazeem def O.Onaolaopo & B.Oyeniyan (3-1)

SEMI-FINAL

* A.Silva & D.Silva def K.Assar & O.Assar (3-1)

* Q. Aruna & M.Kazeem def El-Beiali & S.Magdy (3-2)

WOMEN

QUARTER FINAL

*D.Meshref & J.Shao def F.Ajala & N.Aroyehun (3-1)

*G.Nasser & Y.Helmy def R.Oguindele & E.Oribamise (3-0)

*C.Akpan & O.Edem def F.Abdel-Aziz & F.Alaa(3-0)

*O.Atinuke & I.Ermakova def F.Bello & A.Odusanya (3-1)

SEMI- FINAL

* D.Meshref & J.Shao def G.Nasser & Y.Helmy (3-2)

* C.Akpan & O.Edem def O.Atinuke & I.Ermakova (3-2)

SINGLES

Round of 16

MEN

* El-Beiali def N.Hassan (4-2)

* O.Onaolapo def M.Babatunde (4-1)

*M.Kazeem def O.Olaniyi (4-2)

* Q.Haruna def H.Adeyinka (4-0)

* A.Silva def A.Fagbamila (4-0)

* K.Assar def D.Silva (4-3)

* B.Oyeniyan def S.Ramadan (4-2)

* O.Assar def M.Fathy (4-0)

International Table Tennis Federation, ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Togo

QUARTER-FINAL

* Q.Aruna def M.Kazeem (4-0)

* O.Onaolapo def El-Beiali (4-2)

* O.Assar def B.Oyeniyan (4-1)

* A.Silav def K.Assar. (4-1)

Funke Oshonaike, International Table Tennis Federation, ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Togo

WOMEN

QUARTER FINAL

*D.Meshref def Y.Helmy (4-0)

* O.Edem def J.Effiom (4-0)

* O.Oshonaike def G.Nasser (4-3)

* J.Shao def I. Ermakova (4-0)

FIXTURES

MEN’S DOUBLES FINAL

*A.Silva & D.Silava vs Q.Aruna & M.Kazeem

WOMEN’S DOUBLES FINAL

* D.Meshref & J.Shao vs C.Akpan vs O.Edem

Winner International Table Tennis Federation, ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open, Men’s Under21 Shagdy Magdy of Egypt

MEN’S SINGLES

SEMI- FINAL

* Q.Aruna vs O.Onaolapo

* O.Assar vs A. Silva

WOMENS SINGLES

SEMI-FINAL

* D.Meshref vs O.Edem

* O.Oshonaike vs J.Shao.

Lagos ITTF World Tour: Finals Go Live On Supersport

The final day of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour, Lagos Open will be on live on Supersport.

According to the Main Organising Committee (MOC), the semifinal and final matches in the singles and doubles holding on Saturday March 14 will be shown on Supersport Channel 207 for viewers across the globe.

From 10:30am, matches will be on the channel for lovers of table tennis to watch their favourite stars within and outside Nigeria.

Some of Africa’s best including the World Table Tennis Player of the Year, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri and Egypt’s superstar, Omar Assar as well as players from Europe are taking part in the $46,000 prize money tournament holding at Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

Lagos ITTF OPEN

Apart from this, the matches will be on youtube and ITTF channel on the final day of the competition.

Lagos ITTF World Tour: Onaolapo, Omotayo, Others Berth In Quarterfinal Of U-21

Defending champion, Nigeria’s Ojo Onaolapo, Olajide Omotyao and three other Nigerians as well as three Egyptians secured their places in the quarterfinal stage of the ongoing International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour, Lagos Open holding at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Onaolapo, who is seeded number one had an easy passage to the last eight, as he overrun compatriot, Joshun Oladiran 11-4, 11-5, 11-6, while Italy-based Omotayo also surmounted Michael Obayomi 11-6, 11-7, 10-12, 11-6 to set up a quarterfinal battle against compatriot, Akinwale Fagbamila, who had accounted for the exit of Sunday Akomolafe in the round of 16 encounter.

Joseph Osedunkwu also suffered defeat in the hand of Olasunkanmi Oginni, who is expected to tackle Omotayo in the last eight.

Egypt’s Ahmed Mabrouk sent his compatriot packing in the last 16 battle of two brothers with 11-9, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7 win over Sayed Ramadan.

Nigeria’s Azeez Solanke was no match to Egypt’s Mahmoud Fathy as the teenager star fell 6-11, 4-11, 1-11 to his superior opponent.

Experienced former national junior player, Azeez Ogunlade was made to raise his game as he managed to beat Babatunde Babafemi 6-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-9.

However the entertaining match between Nigeria’s Nurudeen Hassan and Egypt’s Shady Magdy became the star match in the category as unknown Hassan gave the African junior champion a run for his money during the clash.

Joseph Osedunkwu

Like a true Nigerian, Hassan fought well but his skills cannot match the superb display by the North African as he surrendered the Magdy 13-11, 1-11, 10-12, 9-11.

In the quarterfinal pairing, Onaolapo will battle Oginni, Mabrouk confronts Fathy, while Omotayo and Fagbamila will slug it out.

Familiar foe, Ogunlade and Magdy will again battle themselves for a place in the last four of the event.

A confident Magdy said he is familiar with Ogunlade having played against him at cadet and junior tournaments.

Lagos ITTF World Tour Serves Off

After months of preparation coupled with confirmation of participants, the International Table Tennis Federation World Tour, Lagos Open serves off on Tuesday March 10 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

82 players drawn from 11 countries will compete in the $46,000 prize money championship which is also a world ranking event listed on the ITTF World Tour calendar as a challenge series.

As the second challenge series after the Hungary Open early this year, the tournament will once again bring to fore the fierce rivalry between Nigeria and Egypt as the North African team has a 12-man contingent competing in the six events jostling for at the championship.

Unlike the previous editions, where players are expected to compete from the group stage to qualify for the next stage, this year’s will witness a knock-out format, where players will only progress after winning each match.

According to the ITTF-appointed Competition Manager, Mounir Bessah, the stage is set for the commencement of the competition as everything has been put in place by the host.

“I am satisfied with what I have seen so far and there is an improvement from what I witnessed last year. I think the tournament is improving each year and I am happy with the atmosphere coupled with the kind of organization put in place. We are also hopeful that the players will have an exciting time in Lagos. The equipment is world standard as it meets ITTF specifications while the hotel and logistics are also perfect. I believe that the tournament will be more exciting this year with the quality of players competing this year,” Bessah said.

An elated President, Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy believes Lagos Open has become a rally point for Africa with the quality of organization as well as the presence of Lagos fans who most times make the tournament very glamorous.

“I am looking forward to the huge support the players used to get from the Lagos fans. I think this competition is unique because the fans are always there for the players and this alone makes the tournament different from every other in the continent. I must commend the efforts of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) led by Wahid Oshodi for their commitment and sincerity in igniting the love for the sport among the fans and for us in the ATTF, this is very important for our sport to grow and get more sponsors,” the ATTF boss said.

Meanwhile ITTF Star Player, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri has his first training on Monday with the resolve to make his fans happy at the end of the competition.

Lagos ITTF World Tour: Quadri, Meshref Are Top Seeds

As the highest world-rated players listed for the competition, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri and Egypt’s Dina Meshref have been seeded the top players in the men and women singles events of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour tagged Lagos Open.

In the seeding list released by the world table tennis ruling body, ITTF, Quadri who is rated 32 in the world is seeded number one while his arch-rival and defending champion, Egypt’s Omar Assar is seeded number two while Assar’s compatriot, Mohammed El-Beiali is number three.

The absence of Nigeria’s Segun Toriola may have paved the way for El-Beiali, who accounted for Quadri’s exit in the quarterfinal stage of the ITTF Africa Senior Championships to be seeded number three in the tournament.

Also listed in the top eight seeding list of the men’s singles are Portugal’s Andre Silva, Nigeria’s Boboye Oyeniyan, Egypt’s Khalid Assar, Nigeria’s Ojo Onaolapo and Togo’s Mawussi Agbetoglo.

Last year’s runner’s up and ITTF Africa Senior Championship winner, Meshref tops the women’s top four seeding list. Nigeria’s Funke Oshonaike and Edem Offiong are seeded two and three respectively, while Russia’s Irina Ermakova is seeded fourth.

In the U-21 seeding, defending champion in the boys’ category, Nigeria’s Onaolapo is seeded number one, while other players listed in the top four seeding list are Egypt’s duo of Shady Magdy and Mahmoud Fathy as well as Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo.

Nigerian Women’s Team, at the 2015 ITTF-Africa Senior Championships

Egypt dominated the girls’ U-21 seeding with 20 year-old Meshref topping the seeding list. Her compatriots – Fatma Alaa and Yousra Helmy also made the list while the only Nigerian in the top four seeding list is Funke Hassan.

Meanwhile, over 90 journalists drawn from newspapers, magazine, radio and television stations including two international media, Supersport and Xinhua have been accredited for the championship serving off on March 10 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria.

Lagos ITTF World Tour: Edem Offiong Not Ready To Play To The Gallery In Lagos

In 2013, Edem Offiong fought her way to the final but she could not finish up against her compatriot, Cecilia Otu-Akpan who beat her to the title. Against she worked to the quarterfinal of the women’s singles but she met her waterloo against Egypt’s Dina Meshref.

However, when the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour, Lagos Open serves off on March 10, Offiong is optimistic that same fate will not befall her this year.

From the start of this year, things have not been auguring well for her but what happened at the last ITTF Africa Senior Championship in Cairo would not prevent her from excelling. Offiong promises that the title will remain in Nigeria this time around.

“I am well prepared for this tournament because I have it in mind that I must do better this year. After the disappointing outing in Cairo, I returned to Nigeria and I rested for a week and since then I have been training hard in order to ensure that I make it to the podium this year. I am in good shape and I hope the home support will help me this year especially against the Egyptians and Portuguese Chinese-born player,” Offiong said.

Edem Offiong

The player who plies her trade in the Portuguese league said: “I know a lot of people have been talking about the quality of the Egyptian player but I want to let them know that the Chinese-born Portuguese is indeed a serious threat because she is the number one female player in the Portuguese league and she is a very strong player.”

Offiong, who made it to round of 16 at the 2014 Spanish Open in Almeria said she hopes to use the Lagos Open title to prepare herself for the this year’s German and Spanish Opens.

“I admits that it is not going to be easy like I expect because for anybody to clinch the title this year, such player must be at her best. Any player that is coming to Nigeria must understand that the atmosphere is always different from anywhere in the world because the fans are always there to cheer the host players and visitors must be ready to face this as well. I am sure this will work in my favour,” she added.

From being a runner’s up in 2013, Offiong was edged out in the quarterfinal of the women’s singles by Egypt’s Dina Meshref and the Nigerian believes this would not repeat itself again this time as she is ready to halt the dominance of the Egyptians in Lagos.