ITTF Egypt Junior Open: Nigeria beats Qatar, Iraq

NIGERIA’S boys team was in excellent form yesterday at the ongoing ITTF World Junior Circuit (WJC), tagged Egypt Junior and Cadet Open, as they beat Qatar and Iraq in their opening round of the championship.

The boys’ team leader, Olasunkanmi Oginni, combined with Nurudeen Hassan to beat the
highly-rated Qatari team 3-1. They returned a few hours later to rout Iraq 3-0 and set up a final group clash against Egypt’s Team B.

The girls’ team, inspired by Esther Oribamise, also showed what to expect from them in the competition when they pummeled Egypt Team D 3-1 to record their first group win in the junior girls’ event.

It was a mixed fortune for Nigeria in the cadet event, as the boys’ team, spearheaded by Abayomi Animashaun, wasted no time in dismissing Egypt Team D 3-0, while the Nigerian girls’ team, led by Muibat Bello and Vivian Oku, fell 3-0 to Egypt Team D.

Meanwhile, the participating teams have commended the organizers, Egypt Table Tennis Federation (ETTF), for providing world class facilities at the stadium even. But the low turn-out of fans may have taken the glamour from the championship.