Table-tennis players angling to represent the country at the
forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, have expressed
readiness to make the country proud.
The players however, urged more government commitment to their preparation.
The Commonwealth Games will hold from 23 July to 3 August.
Portugal-based Quadri Aruna said that the players were in high spirit and ready to challenge their opponents.
He said that the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, NTTF was
complementing the efforts of the National Sports Commission, NSC in the
preparation.
‘’It dampens my spirit when I see the level of attention and commitment the government gives to football.
‘’In Nigeria, priority is given to football at the detriment of other
sports; that is not good for sports development,’’ Aruna said.
The player, who is to represent Africa at the Table Tennis World Cup
in Argentina, said that Team Nigeria was prepared to surpass its
performance at the last Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
‘’In Delhi, we did not win any medal; we lost out at the semi -finals stage in all the events.
‘’This is my third appearance at the Games and I am determined to win a medal,’’ Aruna said.
Onaolapo Ojo, the winner of the U-21 World Tour, said that this year
would be his first appearance, adding that he was determined to succeed.
Ojo said that he had been training rigorously and preparing himself for the task ahead.
‘’Commonwealth Games is not a child’s play; everyone here is for a serious business.
‘’Everyone is coming to Scotland to win a medal and write his name in
history, and I am determined to make myself and the country proud,’’ he
told NAN.
Ganiat Ogundele, who featured in two previous Commonwealth Games,
said that she was going to Scotland with the mind to win a medal.
‘’I have been dedicated to my training toward a good outing. I am
determined to be victorious at the competition this time around.
‘’In Delhi, I lost out in the quarter-finals; I have learnt my mistakes and worked on them.
‘’My aim is to play at the final and get a medal,’’ she said.

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