The scramble for a spot in next year’s 3rd Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires for African teams will take place in Tunis on April 16 to 17 immediately after the African Junior and Cadet Championships. According to the President, ITTF Africa, Khaled El-Salhy, the continent is aiming for making the podium again after Tunisia’s […]
via African Teams To jostle For Spots at Youth Olympic Games — newfanzoneblog
President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi speaks on Aruna Quadri who has now become the toast of the Sports world.
HOW DID YOU MEET Aruna Quadri?
I first saw Aruna play at the table tennis event at the 2006 National Sports Festival. Playing for Oyo State this young boy lost a tight match to the African champion Segun Toriola playing for Ogun in the team event finals. I was very impressed by his determination. Even then he had an excellent forehand
What attracted you to him?
More than anything it was his humility and discipline. Always greeting everybody respectfully even his fellow players. He was always watching the senior players and wanting to learn. So I invited him to Lagos to play in some of our tournaments and he played well but more importantly his behaviour and comportment was worthy of note.
What are the things that make him different from other players?
With regard to his ability his forehand is an excellent weapon and over the years he has continued to develop it. It’s no surprise that his nickname is the “the forehand”. He works harder than most players and he learns from Better ranked players. He never gives up. But I think his greatest attributes are his discipline and willingness to learn.
As a Lagosian, what prompted you to support an athlete from another state?
This is a question I am continuously asked. But in those days we were supporting quite a few players, many of them from Lagos but there was something special about him. We try to support the best talents in Nigeria regardless of where they come from. All the best players come to Lagos to ply their trade and you really must do the best for those who are serious and ready to develop themselves.
How easy has it been for you supporting him?
Supporting such a player who is willing to work so hard gives me great pleasure personally. In recent times due to his performances we are now putting together a team of sponsors who will help to continue to develop his career and by extension other players who show the potential and discipline to improve themselves. It is never easy spending money in light of other contending factors but Quadri’s case has been worthwhile.
Was there any time you wanted to quit supporting him?
Never. Like I said his hard work and comportment has always been beyond reproach. He is a great credit to his parents and all those people who have coached and worked with him over the years.
For years, you have been supporting him, why and what kept you going?
I believed he had the talent and the ability to get to the top. He has now surpassed a lot of people’s imaginations but not mine. There is still a long way to go for him. I believe he has the ability to be a top 10 player. He his still young and you know in Table Tennis most players get better with age. He still has some work to do on his game. He knows that and he is willing to do the hard work that makes great players. There are still a lot of goals for him. The African title, All Africa and who knows an Olympic medal in Rio is not out of his reach, especially with the excellent form our men’s team are showing. But one step at a time.
What type player is Aruna Quadri?
“the forehand” is one of the best attacking players in the world. He must continue to attack in his matches. Taking Zhan Jike ( the best big competition player in the world) to six games at the first time of playing him tells me there is more to come as long as he can keep his head down and work hard. He must listen to his coaches and the likes of Toriola who mentors him. All the international commentators describe his style as ferocious especially his big hitting forehand.
Looking at the feat achieved by Quadri in recent times, what are your conclusions?
The future is bright. He his already ahead of the targets we set at the beginning of 2014 but he must work hard to remain at that level. The African Senior Championships is next. But as you know the competition in Africa is at its strongest now. The experience of Toriola, Saleh and Lashen, coupled with the hard hitting attacking play of Omar and Khaled Assar. The young guns like Ojo Onaolapo, Omotayo,. The Chinese players from Congo. It won’t be easy but he has the ability to go all the way.
For how long will you continue to support him?
As long as he is doing the right things we will continue to support him. It is very competitive out there now and only those who show the required talent and discipline will continue to receive my support and that of the NTTF.
How will you describe your relationship with Aruna Quadri?
he is like a younger brother to me and so are many of our players but you know we have been working together for a while and I am very proud of his achievements.
How do other players see you supporting Quadri?
All our players know that if they continue to work hard they will receive the same opportunities as Quadri. The likes of Kazeem Makanjuola, Tosin Oribamise, Sukanmi Oginni etc are all getting the needed international exposure now. It is up to them to seize the chance they get and continue to improve. At the end of the day it’s to their glory if they do well.
Do you regret supporting Quadri?
Not in any way.
What has been your most memorable moment watching Quadri during a match?
The Commonwealth games team event semi final when he beat the highly seeded Singaporean player. The fellow did not know what hit him. Quadri’s forehand worked perfectly In that game and of course losing to Zhan Jike in that World Cup quarter finals. Really impressive and heartwarming
How long do you think Quadri can last in the game?
He still has a long way to go. If you look at the great career of Toriola Oshonaike and Co, he his just starting out. We wish him the best in future years.
The maiden edition of the end-of-the-year Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) organized top 16 Championship tagged President’s Cup serves off today (Wednesday) December 17 at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.
The N2m prize money two-day tournament has players within and outside the country competing for top spot.
Over 48 matches will be played with foreign-based duo of Seun Ajetunmobi and Olaide Atinuke competing against local stars like Rashidat Ogundele, Kazeem Makanjuola as well as junior sensations – Tosin Oribamise, Ajoke Ojomu, Alimot Ayinla and Onyinyechi Mbah taking part in the championship.
The matches will be played in a round robin format with the top two players progressing to the next stage of the championship. The top eight players will also be drawn into two groups of four each with the top two advancing to the semifinal stage.
Every player listed for the competition will be rewarded with cash while the star prize is N250, 000. For the award, the player of the year as well as the young player of the year will be honoured at the colourful event in the presence of dignitaries.
As part of its efforts to inspire the players to aim higher, eight awards will be handed out to deserving individuals in 2014. These awards are senior player of the year (male and female), junior player of the year (male and female), cadet player of the year (male and female), coach of the year and technical official of the year.
As part of efforts to reward players, coaches and officials in 2014, eight awards have been listed by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) during the end-of-the-year top 16 tournament tagged President’s Cup.
The two-day tournament has players home and abroad competing for the N2m prize money at stake.
Eight awards will be handed out to deserving individuals in 2014 and the awards are:
senior player of the year (male and female)
junior player of the year (male and female)
cadet player of the year (male and female)
coach of the year and technical official of the year.
In a release by the organizers, foreign-based duo of Seun Ajetunmobi and Olaide Atinuke have been listed among the top 16 players expected to feature at the tournament holding at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Also, Lagos Classics champion, Cecilia Otu-Akpan will also be part of the tournament while former junior national champion, Janet Effiom will be competing against other top players in the competition.
Also, four junior players – Tosin Oribamise, Ajoke Ojomu, Alimot Ayinla and Onyinyechi Mbah will be battling for the top spot against senior players at the championship.
In the list of participants released at the weekend by the organizers, the quartet who just returned from the just concluded World Junior Championship in China has been drawn against some top players in their various groups.
Oribamise, whose performance this year has been encouraging at national level, will battle for the two slots in the group alongside, Portugal-based Atinuke, Bose Odusanya, Kehinde Akinyinka and former Asoju Oba champion, Tolu Durosimi-Etti.
One of the most improved players for this year, Ayinla will confront former junior champion, Janet Effiom, Fatimo Kazeem and Aminat Fashola. Ayinla’s form has made her one of the formidable players that may be promoted to the senior level.
Abuja-based Ojomu will clash against Lagos Classics champion, Cecilia Otu-Akpan, Taiwo Williams and Moji Ajibike.
In her group, Mbah has been handed the toughest task as she will slug it out with 2014 Asoju Oba Cup champion, Fatimo Bello; National Sports Festival champion, Rashidat Ogundele, Funke Hassan and returnee, Halimat Hussein.
The matches will be played in a round robin format with the top two players progressing to the next stage of the championship. The top eight players will also be drawn into two groups of four each with the top two advancing to the semifinal stage.
Every player listed for the competition will be rewarded with cash while the star prize is N250, 000. For the award, the player of the year as well as the young player of the year will be honoured at the colourful event in the presence of dignitaries.
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