Coach Samson Ajagi of Lagos State Sports Council on Thursday said he was optimistic his team would win the major prizes at the ongoing Aso Table Tennis Championship in Abuja.
Ajagi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the state had prepared adequately to win laurels in the 12th edition of the competition holding at the Abuja National Stadium.
“We all know what Lagos is for. When we are in a championship, we mean business. Though, last year we were only able to win gold medals in the women’s category and other events and we lost in the men’s singles.
“But, this year, we are battle ready and I believe that my players will perform wonderfully well.
“We have been training. In Lagos, we trained a lot and we developed every day. Our government has also been very supportive,’’ he said.
Ajagi said his players were currently leading on the seniors scoreboard, adding that he was hopeful they would do better in the junior and cadet categories.
Meanwhile, Ojomu Ajuka, a table tennis player from Kwara, has said she was hopeful of coming out a better player after the tournament.
“I am playing both in the senior and junior categories and, even though the matches are tough, I hope to win in the senior category.
“I am still in contention. The competition is on a knockout basis in the senior category and I am in the round of 16, while in the junior category I am in the quarter-finals.
“I think I am going to win the first prize by God’s Grace, even when the matches are very tough, ‘she said.
Another player, Amadi Omeh who is representing Ondo State, said he has the ability to emerge the best in the tournament.
NAN reports that Ajuka and Omeh are junior players who have recorded major upsets by playing in both the senior and junior categories.
The duo had in their respective matches defeated major senior players and had qualified for the round of 16.
NAN also reports that, as at the time of filing this report on Thursday evening, no match had been concluded at the competition due to power outage.
The 2016 Aso Table Tennis Championship which began on Wednesday will end on Saturday.(NAN)