Deaflympics: Tennis Boss Promises Good Outing

Ahead of the forthcoming Deaflympic Games billed for Sofia, Bulgaria, the National Chairman of the Nigeria Deaf Table Tennis Association, Prince Elemchuku Eke, has expressed optimism that his ward’s participation would be a success story for the country.

Fielding questions from sports writers in Port Harcourt at the weekend, Prince Eke said preparations were in top gear as the deaf ping-pong players were seriously training in various states in the country with ten of them currently camped in Lagos, adding that when the final selection is made, the athletes would be moved to Ibadan.

He said some of those selected to represent the country included players who excelled during the last National Sports Festival just as he noted that the coaches were yet to shut the camps, since the possibility of discovering more medal prospects exist.

The Chairman, who maintains that ‘there is ability in disability’ also revealed that the squad included some of the players who brought glory to Nigeria at the last London Paralympics.

“We are going to Sofia to win medals.  The players are in high spirit with a strong physical and mental fitness” he said.

Prince Eke, a Port Harcourt based businessman, however averred he was conscious of the fact that other countries were coming to the Games not as spectators but to fight for medals. He likened the scenario to what he called a ‘wedding cake’.

His words: “It should be seen like a big cake. You don’t expect me to eat all the cakes in a wedding.  I will cut part of it and I will allow others to cut part of it too.  Whoever that gets the greater part of it during eating and digestion; you now know the ability of how your body can carry. So, it’s a game where you don’t have to be greedy. You need to relax and let’s share.  It’s a game where we all go and some will win while others will lose.  But winning makes you happier and that’s what we are set to do.  There are medals to be won and we will win some of them.”

Prince Eke, who was inaugurated Chairman of the board of the Nigeria Deaf Table Tennis Association last February told  journalists that the 13-man body was on course and working to achieve its set objectives despite challenges.