For three days, players from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Benin Republic, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire have been slugging it out at the second ITTF Africa Western Region Championships.
Today, the tournament hits its climax with more winners set to emerge, particularly in the singles events.
Stunning upsets started on the first day of the competition with the defending champion Oba Oba Kizito of Cote d’Ivoire tasting defeat in the team event.
Ghanaian teenagers, Blessing Labanti and Emmanuella Yaa- Kyer, headlined the tournament as the youngest players in the Ghanaian team.
Apart from Samuel Boboye of Nigeria who gave the enthralled Lagos fans the best of himself, Azeez Ogunlade, Rilwan Akanbi and August Emmanuel also showed why Nigeria remains the team to beat in the championships.
Four finals are scheduled to hold today in the doubles (men and women) and singles (men and women) with possible new winners emerging from the events. From the way events have panned out in the Men’s Singles thus far, Kizito of Cote d’Ivoire may not be able to hold on to his crown, as he has been beaten twice by Nigeria’s teenage sensation, Samuel Boboye, in the team and group matches of the Men’s Singles.
But the Paris-based Ivorien is not giving up on his title defence. He said: “I know what to do when it matters most. That I lost in the team and group matches does not matter. I look forward to retaining my title.”
To the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Wahid Enitan Oshodi, the tournament has been a huge success, particularly with the support of the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) and the major sponsors – Baba Ijebu Bet.
Oshodi said: “We will continue to raise the bar in terms of hosting major events. This would not have been possible without the support of Lagos State, Baba Ijebu Bet as well as Prime Atlantic and Delanyard who have remained committed to table tennis.
“We are happy that the players came and they enjoyed themselves under excellent conditions. From what I have seen so far, the future is bright for the region. However, we should not relent in our efforts to continue to support these athletes in their quest to become world beaters.”
Dignitaries within and outside Lagos have arrived the state for the grand finale.
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