By Saheed Ibrahim & Omowumi Ajibogun
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A Para table tennis coach and two time gold medalist at the National sports festivals in 2011 and 2012, coach Ayodeji Ezekiel has called on the youth in Ondo state and Nigeria in general to take the opportunities available in the game of table tennis.
Coach Ezekiel, popularly called “Pele” made this call at the Muhammed Bello table tennis challenge held at Radio Nigeria, Positive FM Akure as part of the station’s annual get-together party during the week.
He stated that in his words, “Everybody wants to play football and football is not the only game you can play. For example, our Nigerian national champion, Aruna Quadri is a table tennis player and he is number 25 in the world now.
Highlighting the benefits of table tennis to the youth, he noted that table tennis players can travel from one country to another, charging the youth to come and develop interest in the game.
Coach Pele further urged the government to adequately fund table tennis in the state and provide the necessary equipment for them to train.
He however expressed happiness at the MB Table tennis Challenge organised by the Radio Station describing as it a good development in the station
He said, when he heard about this, he’s very surprised because when he saw some players, the way they played.
The Zonal Director of Radio Nigeria, Ibadan National station, Alhaji Muhammed Bello, whom the challenge was named after, expressed delight at the event, noting that :broadcasting is all encompassing and we need to do something to keep fit. I think this is the smallest we can do outside roadwork, walking around, long trek, gymnastics but table tennis is light enough for broadcasters to keep fit.
