1st ITTF Western Africa Challenge: Players talk tough ahead of draws in Abidjan

Players competing at the maiden ITTF Western Africa Challenge have started talking ahead of the draws holding today at the Sports Palace in Trenchville, Abidjan.

The four-man Team Nigeria is expected to arrive Abidjan today aboard Air Cote d’Ivoire with national women champion, Fatimo Bello leading the team. Other members include Tosin Oribamise while the duo of Jamiu Ayanwale and Augustine Emmanuel will compete in the men’s event.
Also, organisers of the tournament, Federation of Ivorien Table Tennis (FITT) has promised to put up a good show as arrangement have been concluded to stage a befitting competition.
From Ghana’s Derek Abrefa, to Benin Republic’s Monday Olabiyi as well as Cote d’Ivoire Oba Kizito, the battle for the best prize will be stiffer.
Abrefa, who is Ghana’s number one, the tournament would afford him to atone for the poor display at the 2019 African Games. “I am going there to show what I can do because I was not happy with my performance at the African Games and I am sure I can bring the title back to Ghana. It is going to be tough but this will also bring out the best in me,” the Ghanaian star said.
Olabiyi, whose last competition was at the 2018 African Championship believes the idea behind the competition should be commended as this would surely afford players from the region to test strength against one another. But he is confident he can hold sway in Abidjan.

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For the host country, Kizito, nothing can stop him from beating others to the title. “I have been training in the last two months in France for this competition and I am confident that I will be unstoppable at home particularly in front of the home fans. There is no doubt that Nigerian players are threats to my ambition but I am also ready for them in Abidjan,” Kizito told Sportinglife.ng.