Exclusive: Why Nigerian players always fail in international competitions

Nigerian professional table tennis player Ojo Onaolapo has urged the government to do more in the development of the sport in the country.

Speaking with NAIJ.com Sports, during the ongoing Premier Lotto Tennis Open in Lagos, Onaolapo said the sport needs to be developed at grassroots level, then players need to be given the chance to play in international tournaments with more competitive players.

Ojo Onaolapo wants government to send Nigerian table tennis players for tournaments overseas

The All African Games quarter-finalist was speaking after his elimination at the round of 32 stage to a Chinese opponent at the ongoing games where he has also qualified for the men’s doubles quarter-final with Segun Toriola.

PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest sports news on Naij Sports App

NAIJ.com Sports: Nice game against your opponent, how do you rate your match and what do you think led to your defeat?

Onaolapo: I lost the match because I play in Nigeria with more of amateurs while my opponent plays in Europe with more competitive opponents. Seeing the game, you could say I was unlucky to have to lost but his experience in playing international competitions has served him well.

NAIJ.com Sports: Looking at the sport of table tennis in Nigeria, how do you think we can expose our players to international tournaments so as to avoid defeats like this?

Onaolapo: The government only has to invest in the sport and organise tournaments like this to support us. Table tennis is played by mostly the poor in Nigeria but this can change.

Only few rich men follow table tennis in Nigeria but government can make the sport more attractive by organizing tournaments like this which would help make it popular.

Players use their money to register for tournaments but the government does not help matters but this should change.

Ojo Omolapo with Segun Toriola trying to explain to the official why he doesn’t have his name on his jersey during the men’s doubles event

GET for FREE: Get the latest sports news on Naij Sports

NAIJ.com Sports: What are your plans in table table in the future given that you are a young player compared to legends like Segun Toriola and Aruna Quadri?

Onaolapo: Am looking to join a club in Europe and that is the dream. We have lots of experienced players in Europe and if I move there it would help my game.

I played at the all African games but I lost in the quarter-final and we know only the semi-finalists go for the Olympics but I hope to play in the next AAG and qualify for the Olympics. That is my target.

NAIJ.com Sports: Who are the player you look up to in tennis?

Onaolapo: We Nigerian tennis players look up to legends like Segun Toriola and Aruna Quadri but without support you cannot get to their level.

In Europa I want to be as good as Jean-Michel Saive, Oh Sang-eun who play in international tournaments and have made it to the top.

NAIJ.com Sports: What are your chances ahead of the men’s double with Toriola?

Onaolapo: I first have to forget my loss in the round of 32 singles and look to forward to play my doubles game which I think myself and Toriola can win.

 

The post Exclusive: Why Nigerian players always fail in international competitions appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM (Nigerian newspapers).