‘Team Niger Lost Gallantly In Table Tennis’

Head coach, Niger State Table Tennis Association who also doubles as Head Coach of the State Special Table Tennis Association, Mr Monko Mohammed, says the loss his team suffered on Tuesday in table tennis was a gallant one.

Reacting to the loss in an interview at the Agbani Darego Multi-Purpose Hall in Port Harcourt, Mr Mohammed regretted the loss but commended his athletes for putting up what he considered a gallant outing in table tennis.

“So far, two of my players lost in quarter final stages.  They lost gallantly.  One of them won silver medal at the 16th Sports Festival in Kaduna, he lost (this time around); the other athlete that lost, this is his first time”,  he said.

The Kaduna coach said his hope was hinged on the only athlete that remained in the table tennis game for the state who is featuring in “Class 4” of the event.  “He’s our only hope now”, he said.

Mr Mohammed said he was not prepared to leave the games before the closing ceremony, as vehicles had been made available to convey those who lost back home in Minna, the Niger State capital, and that what would keep him was the remaining athletes whom he hoped would sail through to the next round.

“I don’t want to be part of those that are going back.  I want to see the closing ceremony just as I watched the opening ceremony”, he said.