No fewer than 347 players are currently participating in the 2017 National Table Tennis Championships and 2018 Commonwealth Games Selection Trials which served-off on Wednesday at the National Stadium, Lagos.
The dual event holding from December 13 to December 16 is being organised by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF).
The NTTF Assistant Secretary, c, said the events were part of its annual programmes and build up for the Commonwealth Games.
Adeosun said it was an open and first trial directed toward giving players across the country the opportunity to prove their mettle in the Able and Para-Class of the various events.
“The turnout is really high and I think it’s because the competition was declared open for the physically challenged and able bodied players across.
“Most players are familiar with the National Championships, being an arm of this event, but we have widened the scope this year because of major Games holding next year.
“Although, this is the first stage of the trials because it involves more of the home-based, the platform will help to ginger players ahead of bigger tasks ahead.
“So, those that performed credibly in this stage will have the opportunity to be part of the subsequent stages; this is the standard and process for selection,’’ she said.
Adeosun said the NTTF would organise the 2nd stage of the trials in the first quarter of 2018, adding that it would be a closed event involving foreign-based players.
The NTTF’s assistant secretary said the championships holding simultaneously in the Knock-Up Hall and Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, was being sponsored by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
NAN
Source:The Nation
