As the second ITTF Africa Western Region Championships draw to a close today in Lagos, Nigeria, Secretary-General, ITTF Africa Western Region, Germain Karou, has stated that Nigeria has the wherewithal to spur the growth of table tennis on the continent.
Karou, who has been in Lagos in the last five days, described the tournament as another plus for Nigeria in its efforts to encourage other countries to follow in its footsteps in table tennis development
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“I am really impressed with what I have witnessed in Lagos with the quality of organisation and hospitality put in place by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) led by our amiable Deputy President, Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Wahid Enitan Oshodi. We have seen new talents unearthed and we hope that all these talents would be nurtured to become world beaters like Quadri Aruna,” he said.
Karou added: “From the first day of the tournament, I am yet to receive any complaint from the teams and players and this has again gone to show that Nigeria is capable of hosting major tournaments at a short notice. We are really happy that the second edition has raised the standard of the tournament again this year.”
Also, Vice President, ITTF Africa Western Region, Ferdinand Sounou, stated that Nigeria has, again, shown its leadership position in Africa by staging the four-day championships with six of the 15 member countries taking part.
Sounou, who is also President, Benin Republic Table Tennis Association, said: “I am happy with the success of the tournament. The warm hospitality of the people of Lagos has added great quality to the tournament. I hope and believe the next host will improve on what Nigeria has done.
“We have also seen talents coming on board here and we hope we can have more of them attaining and exceeding the heights set by Quadri Aruna at the global level.”
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