Quadri leads Nigeria to gold

Nigeria won its first gold medal in the men’s double event of the ITTF Africa senior table tennis championship in Cairo, Egypt.

Aruna Quadri and Kazeem Makanjuola defeated their compatriot Onaolapo Ojo and Jide Ogidiolu in the final on Wednesday.

The victory gave the country its first gold medal in the doubles event of the championship.

Nosiru Bello, the head coach Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) said that it was a good development to see all Nigerians playing in the final of the men’s double event of the championship.

“’This is one record I have been trying so hard to achieve and I must confess I am happy it was achieved at this championship,” he told NAN.

“’I must commend the players because they all put up spirited fight despite the fact that they are all Nigerians playing in the final. They all want to make history, because Nigeria have not won gold medal at men’s double of the championship before.”

Nigeria has won six medals – one gold, three silver and two bronze – so far in the championships.

After the game, Makanjuola said that winning gold medal in the event was not an easy task.

“’You know we are all Nigerians and the Nigeria fighting spirits are in all of us, we know ourselves which makes it difficult for us to beat each other.

“I want to thank the federation for this opportunity given to us to further showcase ourselves to the world. It was a good experience and I am glad I was part of the team that made history,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s hope of winning the men’s single event was dashed on Wednesday when Egyptian Mohamed El-Beiali defeated Quadri at the quarter-final stage.