Oshonaike clamours support for Nigeria coaches

Six-time Olympian, Olufunke Oshonaike has clamoured support for Nigeria coaches in their bid to update their knowledge across all sports. She also urged corporate bodies to identify with table tennis considering the laurels the sport had won for Nigeria in major competitions across the globe.

Also, the Oshonaike annual U-21 tournament is expected to serve off on Thursday April 26 at the Lagos Country Club (LCC) in Ikeja.

The Germany-based former African champion spoke at a press briefing to herald the commencement of the tournament later this week said she is willing to continue to lift the fortunes of the sport in the country.

“I want to appeal to those in charge of our sports to support our coaches in their quest to update their knowledge in various sports across the country. There is no doubt that we have the talents that can withstand any team in the world, but our talents must also be supported by knowledgeable coaches to get the results. I am passionate about table tennis and I am using this opportunity to appeal to corporate bodies to come to the aid of the sport so that we can produce more top class players,” she said.

For the three-day tournament, Oshonaike said this year’s tournament coincides with her 44^th birthday and she intends to use it to lift the fortunes of the sport by staging tournament that will throw up talents.

For the chairman, Adna Hotel, Ehi Braimah, Oshonaike’s initiative needs to be supported as it would help to unearth talents.

Braimah who is a passionate table tennis fan believes other ex-players should take a cue from Oshonaike by seeing what they can do for Nigeria.

In his remarks, Chairman, table tennis section of LCC, Charles Osuntunyi, the club would continue to support initiative that would promote and develop table tennis in Nigeria having staged several junior tournaments in the last two years.

The tournament was supported by LCC and Adna Hotel and other well-meaning Nigerians who believe in the ideals of Oshonaike.