Tennis star, Oribamise, says encouragement key

Tosin Oribamise, 2018 Youth Olympic Games table tennis player, on Monday said that support by relevant authorities contributed much to her success so far.

Oribamise told our reporter in Lagos that the support enabled her to participate in the African Senior Championships in Mauritius, African Youth Games in Algeria, and Youth Olympics in Argentina.

She hailed the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports for prompt responses which, she said, made 2018 an eventful year for her.

“Encouragement is very vital, and I am getting it in my career; last year, I participated in three major international championships with the support of the authorities.

“It was really an eventful year for me because my participation in those competitions gave me much exposure, upgraded my ranking and helped me to improve in my skills.

“I commend the NTTF Board for always being there for us, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for living up to expectations in various build-up stages to the championships,” she said.

The Ekiti-born player, however, solicited for more support, urging the ministry to give more attention to table tennis.

The final year student of the Ekiti State University told NAN that she had been able to combine sports with academics as a result of consideration given to her by the school authorities.

The tennis star said that education was fundamental in life.

“Sports and education can together; it is obtainable here, in our country; both are very important especially for young people to be able to strike a balance.

“Whenever I have a competition to attend, I inform the school authorities, which usually grant me permission, and if I miss anything, a makeup is always organised for me,’’ Oribamise added.

It was reported that Oribamise, a top-ranked NTTF player, has represented Nigeria in continental and intercontinental championships, World Junior Cadet Circuit in Egypt in 2015, World Junior Championships, South Africa, in 2016.

She led the female national team to the World Junior and Cadet Championships held in Tunisia in 2017.