By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-02-19 02:15:16
Nigerian table tennis team handler, Segun Toriola, has expressed his disappointment at the team’s failure to advance to the knockout stage of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships in Busan, South Korea. He attributed their unsuccessful performance to the absence of their best player, Quadri Aruna, who withdrew from the tournament due to illness just days before the competition.
Toriola acknowledged that Aruna’s presence would have significantly motivated and boosted the team’s morale, as he is considered one of the most respected players in the world. He stated that Aruna’s reputation and skill would have provided a mental and psychological advantage to the team.
Commenting on Nigeria’s performance and the impact of Aruna’s absence, Toriola emphasized the need to expose young players to high-level competitions. He highlighted the success of other African nations, such as Tunisia, in nurturing and developing their young talent by providing them with opportunities to compete internationally. Toriola stressed the importance of learning from top players like Aruna and Olajide Omotayo, emphasizing that exposure to such competitions would boost the morale and confidence of young athletes.
Furthermore, Toriola emphasized the importance of supporting and nurturing young players in Nigeria, pointing out the success of other countries like Algeria, where talented players who failed to make other national teams are seeking success in their home country. He urged the need to be vigilant in identifying and supporting such young talents, ensuring that they have the necessary support and resources to compete successfully on the international stage.
Toriola’s appointment as the acting coach of the national team by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) demonstrates his commitment to developing and nurturing young talent in Nigeria. He emphasized the need for continued support and investment in the development of young players to ensure that they can compete favorably with their foreign counterparts.
In conclusion, Toriola expressed his disappointment at Nigeria’s performance in the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships and highlighted the importance of exposing young players to international competitions. He stressed the need for continued support and investment in nurturing and developing young talent, learning from the success of other African nations, and ensuring that Nigeria’s table tennis players have the necessary resources and opportunities to compete at the highest level.
