At the Sir Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, action got underway on Wednesday for the 2024 WTT Contender Lagos, where dozens of players from around the world are vying for a $80,000 grand prize and ranking points.
China is currently leading the tournament and has won every match they have played in.
Nigerian youngster Mustapha Mustapha, who is the Men’s Singles round of 32 following a 3-1 win over Ghana’s Israel Aklie, said, “This is my second time competing in the WTT contender Lagos, last year I lost at the first round of the qualifying draw and I told myself next year it has to be better.
“I couldn’t lose in the first round last year and still came and lost in the first round. Even though I had a tight match against my junior brother, he’s also very good. I think it was a 50/50 match. It was just hard luck for me and I wish to do better.”
He will face China’s Fei Junhang for a place in the Men’s Singles round of 16.
“Due to the confidence I have, I believed I could win against him but fortunately after winning 2-0, I lost concentration and that was what gave him the advantage over me to meet up with me and level 2-2 but thankfully,” said Nigeria’s Abdulrahman Abudullahi.
“I have my coach by my side who calmed me down and told me where his weak points are as I was playing to his better position,” he added. Abdullahi defeated fellow countryman David Fayele in the Men’s Singles qualifying round two to advance to the last 32.
Egypt’s Mahmoud Helmy, who was defeated 3-0 by China’s Ning Xiankun said, “I think it’s my fourth or fifth time here in Nigeria. I love the atmosphere here. It’s like the event I look for the most every year. It feels very nice to play here, the atmosphere and crowd are amazing even when you play against Nigerians.”
