Pulled from Punch online
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation has named African champion Aruna Quadri and veteran female player, Funke Oshonaike, as Players of the Year in 2014.
The award ceremony was held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium during the finals of the NTTF President’s Cup.
According to NTTF secretary general, Chinedu Ezeala-Ogundare, the award was staged to motivate the players as well as to inspire the up and coming players to aim high in their career.
Quadri, ranked 31st in the world, was applauded for his exploits this year especially for his singular efforts in repositioning Nigeria on global map of world table tennis.
The 26 year-old Portugal-based athlete leaped from 237th in the world in February this year to 30th in October following his scintillating outing at the International Table Tennis Federation World Cup held in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Also, Oshonaike, who has been a role model for young players with her conduct on and off the table, was adjudged the senior female player of the year.
Olasunkami Oginni and Ajoke Ojomu won the Junior Player of the Year awards, while Abayomi Animashaun and Muyibat Bello claimed the Cadet of the Year awards.
The Coach of the Year went to Olawale Ajetunmobi of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, while Opeoluwa Osoba is the Match Official of the Year.
