Some international table tennis players on Wednesday commended the organisers as well as the hospitality of Nigerians at the ongoing WTT Contender Lagos.

The players, XU Huiyao and LUO Jiecheng, made this known at the World Table Tennis Contender Lagos at the Molade Okoya Thomas indoor Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

The tournament which commenced on June 19 will end on June 23.

They said that their respective experience in Nigeria so far had been wonderful, adding that the atmosphere was also very good for them.

They also said that being their first time in Nigeria they found the people welcoming.

They said that they started from the qualification match and progressed in their game in spite of challenges.

They said that their perseverance and skills in training enabled them to win their game, adding that they were happy and would also be better prepared in subsequent games.

Also, an international table tennis player from Ghana, Francis Antwi, who competed in the men singles, said he was proud to be in Lagos playing the WTT Contender.

He said, “As this is my second time at the event and I have just won my first match in the qualifying round 3-0 and I’m happy. I am proud to be here to play in such a nice event, having won my first round match so I’d just be focused on training and waiting for my next opponent. My opponent might be from China or wherever, so I’m just focusing, training for the next round.’’

Similarly, a Nigeria table tennis player, Mustapha Mustapha, said it was his second time competing in WTT contender Lagos,

He said, “Last year I lost in the first round of the qualifying draw and I told myself next year it has to be better. I couldn’t lose at the first round last year and still come and lose at the first round again. Even though I had a tight match against my junior brother, he’s also good. I think it was a 50/50 match, it was just a hard luck for me and I wish to do better. I am looking forward to getting into the main draw, I have one more match to win against a player from Ghana. I wish myself luck because I know I am going to do better.”

(NAN)