Portugal, 14 foreign countries confirm for ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open

European super-powers, Portugal, Russia and Hungary, as well as African giants, Egypt, will lead 11 other foreign countries to this year’s ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open, tagged Lagos 2016.

With the expiration of registration last week, this year’s Nigeria Open will also feature players from Finland, Slovakia, Romania, Iran, Mexico, Ghana, Congo Brazzaville, Morocco, Tunisia, Congo DRC and Cameroun.

Nigerian players dominate the entry, just as competition would be fierce in the women category, where two-time ITTF World Tour champion, Hungary’s Szandra Pergel, will battle with women’s singles defending champion, Portugal’s Jieni Shao, as well as her Nigerian counterparts, Edem Offiong and Olufunke Oshonaike.

In the men’s singles, home-boy, Aruna Quadri will have his hands full when he battles against top players from Europe as well as his Egyptian rivals.

Thrilled by the turnout of players for this year’s tournament, Tournament Director, Ranti Olajide, said this once again confirms the importance players across the world now attach to the championship.

“With the highest prize money in the Challenge Series of the ITTF World Tour, more players are now willing to be part of the competition in Lagos. Apart from aiming to share from the prize money, they intend to use the championship to amass points for their world ranking, as well as qualify for the end-of-year ITTF World Tour Finals. We are indeed excited about the turnout and we hope this year will be more competitive and glamorous based on the quality of the players coming to Lagos,” Olajide said.

Over 122 players across the globe have been listed for the tournament scheduled for May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Officials from Egypt and Algeria will handle proceedings at the five-day tournament, which prize money is $46,000 (N13.8m).