At last, Quadri wins Lagos ITTF Challenge
• Yan wins women trophy • His victory will spur us to invest more in sports, says Ambode
TOP seed, Aruna Quadri yesterday became the first Nigerian to win the men’s title of the annual International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Challenge Seamaster Nigeria Open held at the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Hall, of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
China’s Guo Yan won the Women’s Singles title.
In the Men’s class, Quadri dug deep to beat Frenchman, Antoine Hachard (16th seed), in six games of 11-13, 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-7), while Yan, who earlier won the Under 21 title, fought a battle of her life before overcoming compatriot, Sun Chen, in a 6-11, 11-6, 11-5, 7-11, 9-11, 11-4, 12-10 thriller.
The Chinese again dominated the Women’s Doubles as the pair of Qi Fenjie and Sun Chen beat compatriots, Fan Siqi and Guo Yan, in three straight sets of 11-3, 11-4, 11-6, while the French pair of Alexandre Robinot and Joe Seyfried defeated the combination of Hungary’s Tamas Lakatos and Finland’s Benedek Olah, to win the title in 11-3, 11-7, 5-11, 11-6 results.
For their efforts, Quadri and Yan won $5,000 cash prizes each, while the runners up received $2,500. The sum of $3000 each was awarded to the winners of the Men’s and Women’s Doubles, as runners up got the sum of $1,500 respectively.
The Olympian is to receive N1 million promised yesterday by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for Qudri’s effort as a Nigerian player at the championship.
Quadri got the $200 fair play award, while Jamiu Ayanwale was given the award of the best performing Nigerian player with a cash prize of $200 spon- sored by Premier Bet (Baba Ijebu).
Speaking on his success yesterday, Quadri attributed his victory to the fans that came out to support him.
“With all the support that I got today from the fans, shouting all because of me. It means it is God that has made this victory possible not because that I am better. It is because God just favoured me and today I am very happy that I did not disappoint them.
“This year, I have played already in three finals, and I lost two, that is the African final, and the Commonwealth Games, but tonight which is the third final, I am happy that I finally won a final match. Antoine Hachard is a very good player.”
At the occasion, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode said Quadri’s victory, being the first Nigerian to attain the feat, would further spur the state and strengthen his desire towards sports development in Lagos.
“With this, we will increase our investment in sports and work effortlessly to attract investors into the game in Lagos”.
CHAMPIONS, Manchester City started the defence of their Premier League title with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Unai Emery’s Arsenal at the Emirates.
Pep Guardiola’s side were dominant in the first half and should have gone in at the break with more than just the 1-0 lead given to them by Raheem Sterling after his run and show from the edge of the box.
The new-look Gunners were much improved after the interval and were threatening to get back on level terms before Bernardo Silva thumped in a decisive second goal just after the hour mark.
Even after that there were just some signs of sloppiness creeping into the City ranks as Pierre-emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil had great chances to score in the closing stages, but it was a deserved three points in the end for the visitors.
The positives outweighed any minor negatives for City, who looked as slick as last season at times but not quite as clinical - Sergio Aguero missed a one-onone against Petr Cech - but Guardiola will be pleased he was able to start with Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane on the bench and still win with something in hand.
Liverpool kicked off their season in style with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah scoring in a commanding 40 win over West Ham at Anfield.
It was a stroll next to Stanley Park for Liverpool, who took the lead after just 19 minute when Salah picked up where he left off last season by tapping in a great low cross from Andy Robertson to cap off a wonderful flowing move.
Mane doubled the home side’s advantage just before half time when he also converted from close range from a James Milner cross, before killing off the game early in the second half with a low rifled effort - although he was certainly offside. Liverpool had been around the 9/2 mark before they kicked off their season at Anfield on Sunday, but the result saw their odds cut to 7/2 to claim the title. Manchester City remain the odds-on favourites at 8/13 to defend their title.
Liverpool had dominated throughout and Daniel Sturridge came off the bench to complete the rout two minutes from time when he tapped home a corner at the far post with his very first touch.
Things could not have gone any better for Jurgen Klopp with Naby Keita enjoying a fine debut running the midfield, the defence and goalkeeper Alisson spectating for most of the game and the front men looking fluid and threatening throughout.