The hunt for desk tennis medals on the 2025 Nationwide Sports activities Pageant (NSF), Gateway Video games 2024, kicks off on Saturday, Might 24, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
International-based stars equivalent to Olajide Omotayo, Azeez Solanke, and Taiwo Matti will don the colors of Bayelsa State, injecting world-class expertise into the match.
Lagos State enters as a formidable pressure, spearheaded by nationwide champion Matthew Kuti and Muiz Adegoke. Different robust contenders embody desk tennis powerhouses from Kwara, Ondo, Oyo, and Delta States, all poised for podium finishes.
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An official from the Nigeria Desk Tennis Federation (NTTF) revealed that the occasion’s begin was barely delayed to accommodate the conclusion of the badminton match, which shares the identical venue.
“We’re anticipating a way more aggressive match this yr, with elevated participation from groups that haven’t featured in current editions.
Some gamers are arriving straight from the ITTF World Championships in Doha, so followers ought to count on fireworks throughout the crew, doubles, and singles classes,” the official acknowledged.
Omotayo, at the moment Nigeria’s second-highest-ranked participant globally, is anticipated to face stiff competitors from high home-based stars equivalent to Kuti, Adegoke, and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai.
Kuti, identified for his consistency on the nationwide circuit, is eyeing his first Nationwide Sports activities Pageant title, following a string of spectacular performances in current tournaments.
Abdulfatai, recent off a title-winning run in a nationwide occasion held in Osun State, is one other robust contender in each singles and doubles.
Oyo State, coached by Dotun Omoniyi, additionally poses a big menace, with skilled gamers like Akinwale Fagbamila and Joshua Olaniran bringing grit and tactical depth to the squad.
Within the para desk tennis class, all eyes can be on hometown hero and Paris Paralympics bronze medallist Isau Ogunkunle, who’s aiming for gold within the Males’s Class 4 singles occasion.
Within the ladies’s division, Edo State can be represented by Commonwealth Video games medallist Religion Obazuaye,.
Anthony Nlebem
Head of Sports activities at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content material Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports activities reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and world sports activities panorama and abilities in delivering complete and insightful sports activities content material.
