European players top list of entries for ITTF Nigeria Open

Players from European countries are dominating the list of entries for this year’s ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open, even as the tournament has set a new record of the largest turnout of countries listed for the event. Over 22 countries, including host, Nigeria, beat the registration deadline of July 10.

Also a record entry of 148 players, made up of 95 men and 53 women, will compete at the $46,000 prize money championship holding from August 9 to 13 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria.

Europe dominates the list with 10 countries have confirmed their participation, while eight African nations were also listed. Asia has three countries while Latin America has one nation.

The European teams are France, Bulgaria, Finland, Russia, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Hungary, Scotland and Ukraine.

Nigeria and its continental rival, Egypt, will lead African teams, including Algeria, Congo Brazzaville, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Ghana and South Africa. From Asia are India, Qatar and South Korea, while Latin America will be represented by Argentina.

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) has attributed the large turnout of teams to the popularity of the championship among players across the globe.