The 2nd edition of the African Table Tennis in Diaspora (ATTD) tournament has been met with widespread praise for its sponsors and organizers. The event, held at the Table Tennis section of the Ibadan Recreation Club, has garnered recognition from the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).
Defending champion David Fayele expressed his gratitude for the initiative, describing it as a great opportunity for players to compete in an ITTF-ranked event. “It’s great to participate in an event like this ranked by the ITTF,” he said.
Muizz Adegoke, Nigeria’s second-ranked table tennis player, highlighted the importance of such tournaments for the growth of young players. He also called for more initiatives of this nature to help players earn ranking points and develop their skills.
Tayo Adesoji, Vice President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and the federation's Technical Director, emphasized the significance of the tournament. He commended the diaspora community for giving back to their roots by organizing the event.
“This is about recreating oneself and giving back to where you come from,” Adesoji remarked. “I appreciate them for recognizing the need to support others who aspire to achieve even more. Nigeria has immense talent, but we lack infrastructure and consistent competitions. Events like this are a step in the right direction.”
The tournament, which concludes today, will see Fayele aiming to defend his title against top contenders, including Adegoke.
As the event wraps up, it stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential of table tennis to inspire the next generation of Nigerian athletes.
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