European table tennis super powers, Portugal, Russia and Hungary as well as African giant, Egypt including 11 others have confirmed their participation in this year’s ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open (Lagos 2016).
With the expiration of registration last week, this year will witness the presence of players from Portugal, Russia, Hungary, Egypt, Finland, Slovakia, Romania, Iran, Mexico, Ghana, Congo Brazzaville, Morocco, Tunisia, Congo DRC and Cameroun.
Nigerian players dominated the entry with two-time ITTF World Tour champion, Hungary’s Szandra Pergel squaring up against women’s singles defending champion, Portugal’s Jieni Shao as well as her Nigerian counterparts – Edem Offiong and Olufunke Oshonaike.
In the men’s singles, home-boy, Aruna Quadri will have his hand full when he battles against top players from Europe as well his Egyptian rivals.
Thrilled by the turnout of players for this year’s tournament, Tournament Director, Ranti Olajide said this once again confirmed the importance players across the world now attached to the championship.
“As the highest prize money in the Challenge Series of the ITTF World Tour, more players are now willing to be part of the competition in Lagos. Apart from aiming to share from the prize money, they intend to use the championship to amass points for their world ranking as well as qualify for the end-of-year ITTF World Tour Finals. We are indeed excited about the turnout and we hope this year will be more competitive and glamorous based on the quality of the players coming to Lagos,” Olajide said.
Over 122 players across the globe have been listed for the tournament scheduled for May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Officials from Egypt and Algeria will handle proceedings at the five-day tournament which is the highest prize money ITTF World in the 2016 Challenge Series, with $46,000 (N13.8m) at stake.
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