Sports

Nigeria Overtakes Egypt In ITTF World Ranking

Published

8 years ago

March 9, 2016

Captain of Al Ahly (2nd left) trying to go past an opponent in a recent game.

Following the performance of Team Nigeria at the just-concluded Perfect World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Segun Toriola-led side has moved up in the latest table tennis world ranking.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), organisers of the championships said in a statement yesterday that Nigeria has been rated 24 and the best African team globally.
The statement also described the nation’s side as the “West Africa giants.’’
Prior to the ITTF World Team Championship in Malaysia, Nigeria was rated 32 behind Egypt which placed 25.
The statement said that ITTF noted that the team’s ranking placed the country with 216 points ahead of Egypt, which now occupies 29th position with 208 points.
It said that Nigeria’s outstanding outing at the competition in the Asian nation contributed to the rise in the world rating.
The statement also said that In the women rating, Egypt remained the best in the continent as the North African country was now ranked 29.
It said that the absence of the Nigerian female team may have caused their slide to 40th place in the world.
In spite of the slumping of Nigeria, the team still remains the second best team in Africa ahead of Congo Brazzaville, Algeria and Tunisia.
According to the statement, China which clinched the men and women’s titles at the competition remains the best teams in the world.
Reacting to the rating, the Vice-President, African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Olabanji Oladapo, described Nigeria’s performance as commendable.
Oladapo, however, decried inadequate support for the sport by the government, stressing that it affected the team’s general performance.
“Considering the level of preparations, their performances were very surprising but good as they topped their highly competitive group, consisting of five top table tennis playing nations, including Slovakia and India.
“Lack of effective preparations and stamina for the competition affected them and caused their loss to India in the quarter-final, a team they had defeated 3-0 at the group stage.
“Aruna Quadri and Segun Toriola impressed the spectators with their outstanding performances in spite of playing without a technically sound coach on the bench.
“We have the players and we know our generic problems,’’ he stressed.
The former Secretary-General, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), also lamented the absence of the Nigerian women team which, he said, would caused the team to play in lower division in the tournament’s next edition.
“The absence of Nigerian women meant that they cannot qualify for 2016 Rio Olympic Games. They are likely to be relegated to a lower division too.
“This will be confirmed after the World Table Tennis Championship (WTTC).
“What is obvious is their drop below Egypt, Congo Brazzaville, Algeria and probably South Africa in ranking as they were all at the competition.
“We will feel the effect of our ‘no show’ in African multi-sports games like African Games,’’ Oladapo regretted.
To help grow the sport in the country, the member of ITTF Board of Directors said that “we must go to the basics in all our sports.
“Refocus development of table tennis in schools, on the streets and neighbourhoods and recreate sporting culture that produced past heroes.

Sports

Ghana Legend Names Okocha Africa’s Best

Published

1 day ago

April 15, 2024

The Tide

Ghana star, Mohammed Kudus has named Nigerian legend Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha as his greatest African footballer of all time, drawing parallels between Okocha’s style of play and his own.
Kudus, currently plying his trade with West Ham United, praised Okocha for his exceptional skills and entertainment value on the pitch.
Okocha’s illustrious career includes numerous achievements such as winning the Goal of the Year award in Germany in 1993, multiple Nigerian Footballer of the Year titles, and being named the BBC African Footballer of the Year twice.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Kudus expressed his admiration for Okocha, emphasising the lasting impact of his creative flair and ability to entertain fans. He highlighted Okocha’s unique style of play as a source of inspiration for him as a young footballer.
”I will say Jay Jay Okocha. I will say explaining from my lens how I see creative players and entertain. That can never be washed away and the fans can never forget that,” Kudus told our source.
Despite joining West Ham United last summer, Kudus has quickly established himself as a crucial player for David Moyes’ side.
With stellar performances throughout the season, Kudus has garnered attention for his impressive contributions on the pitch. In his debut season, the midfielder has netted an impressive 13 goals in 38 appearances, solidifying his role as a key player for the club.

Sports

HFN Sets Deadline For League Registration

Published

1 day ago

April 15, 2024

The Tide

The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) have called on teams that will participate in the Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 to complete all documentary registration on or before May 4, 2024.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 kick off with phase 1 to hold in Benin City, Edo State from May 12th to the 25th , 2024 and the HFN said all teams must document all their registration regarding player registrations, loans and transfers as soon as the 4th of May 2024 according to a statement addressed the officials of the twenty two participating teams by the Secretary General of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Mr. Almu Umar Lambu.
“A total of 25 players and 4 officials shall be registered for the Season as there shall be no more registration in the Second Phase and all participating clubs should note that documentary registration of players, transfers and loans shall be completed on or before 4th May, 2024.” Mr. Lambu said.
Mr. Lambu also revealed that the HFN will hold an anti-doping seminar for players and officials during the course of the first phase of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 in Benin City, Edo State.
“Also Clubs should note that there will be Anti-Doping Seminar during the league to be organised by the HFN Medical and Anti-Doping Commission” Mr. Lambu concludes.
The top tier Handball league which is the biggest handball event in Nigeria, was to begin on April 28 through to May 11, 2024 but has now being shifted by two weeks by the Handball Federation of Nigeria for effective preparation in tandem with the sponsor Ardova PLC and will now hold from May 12 to 25, 2024.
Teams are expected to arrive Benin City on May 12, 2024 while hostilities will then begin the next day, May 13 through to May 24, 2024. Departure is May 25, 2024.

Sports

Athletics: Ofili, Nathaniel Qualify For Paris Olympics

Published

1 day ago

April 15, 2024

The Tide

Favour Ofili and Ezekiel Nathaniel have booked their places to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Ofili won the women’s 200-meter event in day one of the Tom Jones Invitational on Friday, hosted by Florida at James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville.
The Port Harcourt, Nigeria, native blazed out of the blocks and clocked an event-winning time and No. 4 time in the world of 22.33 seconds (+1.4 m/s).
She defeated Anavia Battle who came through in 22.56s and Ida Karstoft in a new National Record of 22.60s
Her time dips under the Paris 2024 Olympics’ standard of 22.57 seconds, punching her ticket to the Olympics in her first season after turning pro.
It is her fastest time outdoors since 2022 where she set the Nigerian National Record of 21.96s the same year.
Nathaniel on his part shattered the Nigerian 400m Record at the Tom Jones Invitational, running a brilliant 48.29s.
The feat has seen Nathaniel automatically qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics, surpassing the Olympic standard by almost half a second.
Chris Robinson of the United States won in a time of 47.95s ahead of Clement Ducos, who ran 48.26s.
Meanwhile, in the Men’s High Jump event, Nigeria’s Erhire Best won clearing a Season’s Best (SB) of 2.21m.
He defeated Riyon Rankin on countback, having needed just one attempt to clear the winning mark while Rankin took three tries. BJ Jennings was 3rd with 2.13m.