Aruna Quadri, Oshonaike, Other Local Stars Receive Ambode’s N2m Bonus At Nigeria Open

OLATUNJI SEUN EMMANUEL

The Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has boosted the morale and encouraged the Nigerian players at the just concluded ITTF Challenge Seamaster Nigeria Open.

The Governor in his magnanimity has approved that all Nigerian players, irrespective of their states of origin, who reached the Round of 16 and upward at the international table tennis tournament should be given bonuses totalling N2 million.

Topmost among the recipients of Ambode’s bonus is Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri who won the Seamaster ITTF tournament, the first Nigerian to do so. He beat Frenchman Antione Hachard in a thrilling 4-2 encounter in the men’s singles. He received Ambode’s N1 million bonus plus the sum of $5,000 prize money.

Governor Ambode was among hundreds of table tennis fans who cheered Quadri to victory at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere.

Other recipients of the bonus in the men’s category were doubles quarter finalists, the duo of Hassan Nurudeen and Jamiu Azeez Olugbenga and the pair of Omotayo Olajide and Segun Toriola. Ojomu Ajoke and Oribamishe Esther who reached the quarterfinals in the Women’s Doubles also received the bonus.

Funke Oshonaike and Akpan Cecilia who reached the round of 16 in the women’s singles also received Ambode’s largesse. So also were Kazeem Makanjuola, Segun Toriola and Jamiu Azeez Olugbenga who got to the men’s singles round of 16.

In the junior category of U-21, the following players who got to the round of 16 were rewarded by Governor Ambode. They were Augustine Emmanuel, Hassan Nurudeen, Oladiran Joshua, Ayanwale Jamiu, Solanke Azeez, Akanbi Rilwan, Omeh Amadi and Tobi Falana, all in the boys event. In the girls U-21, the likes of Aregbesola Nimota, Onoja Agnes and Oribamishe Esther were in the list.

Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr Kweku Adedayo Tandoh, who was also the Tournament Director of the Seamaster ITTF tournament commended the magnanimity of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, adding that Lagos State will always reward for good performances by Nigerian athletes.