Table tennis team to train in Lagos for the Commonwealth Games

Table tennis athletes who would compete for Nigeria in the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 will start camping again in Lagos the following week.

Taking place from July 28 to August 8, the Games.

The team will consist of eight athletes, our correspondent has learned. Additionally, it was discovered that players will be chosen for the games based on their current rankings and form.

Top stars Quadri Aruna, Edem Offiong, and Fatimo Bello are anticipated to join the squad, barring any last-minute hiccups.

According to a Nigerian Table Tennis Federation official, preparations for Nigeria's representatives to shine at the Commonwealth Games are well underway.

"We've never had it this well in terms of our players participating in top events before a major competition like the Commonwealth Games," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The team will be camping in Lagos from next week and from there we will pick the players to represent the country in Birmingham.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s top-ranked women’s table tennis star Fatimo Bello remains upbeat about her chances of winning a medal at the Commonwealth Games, if selected.

Ranked world No.52 in the world and No.4 in Africa behind Egyptian trio Hana Goda, Mariam Alhodaby and Dina Meshref in the latest WTT rankings for women, the 24-year-old believes their chances of winning medals are bright.

“We are in good shape at the moment and I believe we will do well in Birmingham. Individually, I have been training on my own and I’m confident about our chances.”

Offiong Edem also expressed confidence in the women’s team making a podium finish in Birmingham.

“I have been training individually for the Commonwealth Games and will intensify when we begin close camping in the coming days.

“We have good players at the moment and I believe we will win medals there, which is our target.”