Nigeria Trounces Peers, Dominates ITTF Africa Western Region Championships
Hosts Nigeria won every Gold medal on offer in the singles, doubles and team events in the men’s and women’s categories of the ITTF Africa Western Region Championships at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
The seond edition of the four-day regional table tennis tournament saw rising stars across Africa emerge from the competition which concluded on Thursday.
Akanbi Rilwan emerged the new men’s singles champion after seeing off compatriot Azeez Solanke in the final.
The men’s doubles final produced a match for the ages as Nigerian duo Orok Etim and Amadi Omeh claimed victory in spectacular fashion.
The duo pulled off a stunning comeback from two sets down to triumph against Derek Abrefa and Emmanuel Commey of Ghana.
Defending women’s singles champion Fatimo Bello retained her crown with a three-set stroll over compatriot Aminat Fashola in the final.
Bello had earlier teamed up with Bose Odusanya to take gold in the women’s doubles event.
There was yet another gold medal for the host country in the men’s team event as Samuel Boboye and Azeez Solanke edged Akanbi Rilwan and Augustine Emmanuel 3-2 in an all Nigerian affair.
Solanke and Bello also claimed gold in the mixed doubles, triumphing in straight sets over compatriots Orok Etim and Vivian Oku in a commanding display.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Wahid Enitan Oshodi, has said that the competition has been a huge success with the support of the Lagos State government through the Lagos State Sports Commission.
“We will continue to raise the bar in terms of hosting a major event and 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,” Oshodi said.
“We are happy that the players came and they enjoyed themselves under good condition. From what I have seen so far, the future is bright for the region, but we should not relent in our efforts to continue to support these athletes in their quest to become world-beaters.”
Chidi Nwoke/ITTF.
