By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-03-06 03:48:52
Veteran table tennis star, Offiong Edem, made history by becoming Nigeria’s first athlete to earn a medal at the 13th African Games. The event took place at the Accra International Conference Centre, where Edem finished third in the women’s singles competition. Despite facing tough competition, Edem played outstanding matches in the later stages of the event, notably defeating the Alhodaby twins – Marwa and Mariam – to secure her spot on the podium.
In the semi-final match against defending champion Dina Meshref of Egypt, Edem suffered a 0-4 defeat but managed to secure a bronze medal, a repeat of her performance at the 2019 edition of the African Games in Rabat, Morocco. Edem credited her recent participation in the World Championships in Korea for improving her game and expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) for their support. She acknowledged the need for Nigerian athletes to attend more international competitions to compete on par with countries like Egypt.
Meanwhile, the second batch of Team Nigeria’s contingent arrived in Accra, Ghana, the host country of the African Games. The first batch had departed earlier and included badminton and table tennis players along with their officials. While the official start of the Games was scheduled for March 8, some events had already begun. The athletics team was set to join the rest of the Nigerian delegation on March 11. Sports Minister John Owan Enoh emphasized the importance of competing with integrity and bringing honor to Nigeria and its leaders.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) planned to decamp some home-based athletes following successful National Trials held in collaboration with Making of Champions (MOC). About 35 athletes had moved into a training camp in Abuja to prepare for the African Games. The squad hoped to benefit from the inclusion of 18 overseas-based stars, including notable athletes like Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume, Ruth Usoro, and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi.
The wrestling team, led by Olympic silver medalist Blessing Oborodudu, left their Yenagoa camp for the Games and had high expectations for bringing home medals. President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Dr. Daniel Igali, expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and hoped for a strong performance. Oborodudu, along with other team members, was determined to defend titles and achieve success at the African Games.
Ashton Mutuwa, a debutant at the African Games, voiced his confidence in representing Nigeria in the wrestling category. The women’s and men’s wrestling teams were comprised of talented athletes across different weight classes, each aiming for success on the international stage. The accompanying officials and coaches were prepared to support the athletes in their quest for medals. The Nigerian contingent was ready to compete with dedication and determination to make their country proud at the 13th African Games.
