The Oyo State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, has called on the Oyo state government to give moral and financial assistance to Nigeria’s sensational table tennis player Aruna Quadri who is an indigene of the state.
In a congratulatory message signed by its state Chairman, Mr Adeniyi Alebiosu and his Secretary Adewale Tijani to felicitate with the table tennis star on his recent feat in Poland, Oyo SWAN solicits for financial assistance for the excelling sportsman from government and rich Nigerians as well as private business concerns to allow him progress in his illustrious career.
Africa and Nigeria’s table tennis number one player, on Sunday, won the ITTF Championship, tagged Polish Open in Poland after beating Japanese Kai Yoshida by 11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8 at the final.
With his latest triumph at the Polish Open, the Nigerian table tennis star has set another record. He is the first African table tennis player to win a tournament outside the continent.
Oyo SWAN applauds Quadri’s latest feat and notes with delight that the success of the Nigerian table tennis star is not a fluke but a result of his strong character, hard work, perseverance and determination to succeed against all odds.
The Association draws public attention to the fact that ‘this achiever’ has been doing it all alone through self sponsorship.
“It is surprising that Aruna Quadri continues to excel and record astounding successes in spite of his inability to secure financial assistance from both the Federal and State Governments as well as private organizations in Nigeria”.
The Association stresses that Aruna Quadri needs to be given moral and financial aids to acknowledge his excellent service to the state and the nation and to motivate him.
” In view of the fact that Quadri is an illustrious citizen of Oyo state who has been making the state and the nation proud with his landmark achievements in the ping pong game, Quadri deserves financial assistance from Oyo state government”.
The body of sports journalists in Oyo state further enjoins all youths and upcoming sportsmen and women to emulate Aruna Quadri whom it described as ‘”a good role model”.