ITTF Challenge fallout: Union Bank vows to discover stars

Even as foreigners carted away the top prizes at the just ended ITTF Nigeria Challenge, Union Bank Table Tennis Club is aiming to produce more quality players that would give the nation better representation in future meets.

Head coach of Union Bank Table Tennis Club, Samson Ajayi, said they are proud of past and present players, adding that the stallions would keep playing a leading role in table tennis development.

Speaking after Sunday’s closing ceremony at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Ajayi said, “We were encouraged by the fact that two of our past players; Aruna Quadri and Bode Abiodun (Portugal-based) clashed in the quarter finals of the Men’s singles. As Abiodun won, we held our heads high because it was a Union Bank beat Union Bank or Nigeria beat Nigeria situation”.

Reflecting further, Ajayi said, “Our present players were also very impressive in various categories. It is exciting that Hassan Nurudeen got as far as Round of 16 with the likes of Azeez Solanke, Augustine Emmanuel, Aina Alimat, Bose Odusanya and Limota Aregbesola got to the Round of 32 and queuing for improved rankings soon. Surely Union Bank’s Management has proved the best in table tennis.”