By Daily Sports Nigeria on August 26, 2024

Nigeria’s eight-man table tennis squad to the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, tutored by Nasiru Sule, is determined to bring medals home from the event that begins on Thursday, August 29.

The Paralympics will begin on Wednesday, August 28 and run till September 8.

The Nigerian team of six men and two women will compete in doubles, mixed doubles, and singles events.

The country has a proud history in Paralympic table tennis, having won two gold and three bronze medals since their first win in Atlanta in 1996.

Sule, who won a bronze medal in Atlanta, believes the team’s extensive preparation in Nigeria and Germany has set them up for success.

“I think we had one of the best preparations this year because we have been in camp since June before leaving for Germany, and this has given us enough time to work on our tactics for the games,” the coach told the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation Media.

“There is no doubt that this will be the most competitive Paralympic Games because there are lots of good players heading to Paris. We are aware of this, and we are ready to face it squarely because to be the best, you must beat the best,” he added.

Reigning African champion in men’s singles class 4, Isau Ogunkunle aims to surpass his quarterfinals finish from Tokyo 2020.

“It was a good experience for me in Tokyo, where I made it to the quarterfinals, being my first outing. This time around, I am well prepared for Paris, and I know it is not going to be easy just like it was in Tokyo.

With the guidance of the technical crew that had exposed us to some of our possible opponents, I think we are battle-ready for the challenges in Paris. I am confident I will return home with something from Paris,” the Birmingham 2020 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist said.

The women’s team includes Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi (Class 5) and Faith Bazuaye (Class 10), while the men’s team features Ogunkunle (Class 4), Kayode Alabi (Class 6), Abiola Adesope (Class 9), Bolawa Akingbemisilu (Class 5), Victor Farinloye (Class 8), and four-time Paralympian Olufemi Alabi (Class 10).

The para-table tennis events will take place at the South Paris Arena from Thursday, August 29 through Saturday, September 7.

Unlike previous games where a group stage was followed by knockout rounds, this year’s events will follow a straightforward knockout format from start to finish.

The schedule kicks off with the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles events, while the men’s and women’s singles will begin on Sunday, September 1, with 181 athletes competing for glory in Paris.

Source Punch Ng

Posted August 26, 2024

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