Old tables, slippery floor behind my loss at Sports Festival
Commonwealth and African table tennis star, Funke Oshonaike has given reasons why she did not represent Lagos State but Akwa-Ibom at the 19th National Sports Festival in Abuja. Daily Trust caught up with her at the sidelines of the ongoing biennial games
CI did not put in my best and I didn’t play my game and the situation is very wrong for me and dark for me as well. The tables are too old, the floor is too slippery. Every time I slipped up, I could not even carry myself but it’s still okay. I lost. I have to give kudos to the young lady that beat me. She really played well and I am happy.
I only slept for four hours after I lost in the mixed doubles on Sunday. Then I started playing by 10 in the morning (Monday). I was called 30 minutes after to the table to play the quarterfinal game. Mama is getting old. So, I could not play my game till the end.
I was very happy for Nimota. She is under my foundation. She is someone I am grooming. I felt like a mother to her. But I felt bad because I lost and had promised my state medals. I am happy I have been able to motivate somebody and for her to feel she is good after beating a legend.
Segun and I lost the mixed doubles due to the rigors we underwent before arriving at the game, we were experiencing severe bouts of jet lag, so when we were called for the game when we were almost asleep on our feet, which did not go well for us.
Even for an amateur, it is not easy but you know in Nigeria, a lot of athletes are used to the system but we are not used to it. Also we also have to state that it was also a fair win as our opponents played well and they deserved the victory.
I came to Abuja a day before the National Sports Festival competition which affected me. Apart from that, the floor is not good enough and it is slippery, the lighting is very poor and the tables are very old. It’s very hard for me as a professional to be playing under such bad condition.
I am always doing like a clinic, organising competitions for U-21 every year. I did one on my birthday this year, did one last year. Next year by God’s grace I plan to do another when I get a good sponsor. I have a lot of dreams for these young ones. We should not wait for the government, we can help in our own ways. These young ones are our future. Funke will not going to be there forever. Maybe I have one or two years and I need the younger ones to take over. I became a national champion at the age of 16. I am after grooming them now because of the love I have for these players.
I did not fly to Akwa Ibom just like that. The state cares and requested for me. If Lagos state had approached me, I would have accepted even without any condition. I’ve been representing Lagos since I came to the limelight.
I want to qualify first and go for the All Africa Games which is now tough. There are no more underdogs in table tennis. Egypt has taken the glory from us because they are investing a lot in their players. So I want to continue playing in my club, go for the All Africa Games, then the Olympics and retire from sports but not from my foundation.