Nigeria begins quest to pick Paris 2024 Paralympic Games ticket in Para Table Tennis

Nigerian Para table tennis team have are competiting at the International Table Tennis Federation, (ITTF) Lignano Masters Para Open.

The Para Open served as the pathway to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in France.

The four-day championships served off on Wednesday in Italy with over 100 players bidding to shore up ranking points for qualification to the 2024 Games.

A Commonwealth medalists, Isau Ogunkunle, Nasiru Sule and Faith Obazuaye led a 15-man Nigerian contingent to italy.

Delta State government sponsored the team to Italy as they aim to garner points to be certain of their eventual qualification for Paris 2024.

Aside the Commonwealth trio, others in the contingent include Tokyo 2020 Paralympics bronze medalist Tajudeen Agunbiade, Olufemi Alabi, Victor Farinloye, Kayode Alabi, Bolawa Akingbemisilu, Ibrahim Soares, Faith Obiora, Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi, Maimuna Habib, Kehinde Lawal, Ganiyat Shoremekun and Ahmed Koleosho.

Team Nigeria will compete in the singles, team and doubles’ events.

Team Nigeria Captain, Agunbiade has pledged to make the country proud in Italy.

“I must thank the Delta State government for their support to the team and the team is well prepared for the tournament because we had rigorous training before departing Lagos at the weekend.

This is just one of the many tournaments we need to attend to qualify for the 2024 Paralympics Games in Paris and we thank the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for the sponsorship and we promise to make Nigeria proud.

We just want Nigerians to continue to support special athletes, morally and spiritually and by the grace of God, we shall continue to represent and bring glory to the country,” he said.