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Africa will be hosting its first World Championships in 80 years in South Africa.
Nigerian table tennis legend Segun Toriola has hailed the return of the world championships to Africa after 80 years.
Pulse Sports reports that Africa will be hosting its first World Championships in 80 years in South Africa.
The table tennis world will descend on Durban from May 23 to June 2 at the Durban International Convention Centre for the World Championship.
Toriola played in 21 Championships
Toriola played in 21 World Championships, appearing in both team and individual events. It is a record yet unmatched by any player in Africa. The France-based African star recalled his debut at the World Championships in 1991.
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“I played in 21 World Championships before I retired. My first outing was in Chiba, Japan in 1991.
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Toriola feels happy about the return of the World Championships to Africa after eight decades.
“For Africa to host the World Championships for the first time in 80 years is commendable. It means a lot to Africa. I believe that many countries in Africa can host the World Championships. Certainly, Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and others can host the World Championships. Of course, South Africa, which is hosting the championships, can stage it.
"Hosting the World Championships in Africa will impact table tennis positively. For me, hosting the World Championships in Africa is like introducing table tennis in Africa. If South Africa hosts successfully, it would encourage other African countries to bid for the hosting rights,” the Nigerian former champion stated.
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He added that the championships will make the players from the continent work harder.
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“It will inspire the continent’s players to work harder. It is going to be novel because Africa has not hosted the World Championships in 80 years. I believe most African players will be very happy.
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"The African federations will be motivated to work harder. Also, hosting the championship would encourage African governments to invest in table tennis. For example, the host government, South Africa, can promote the uptake of table tennis in their country, thereby making their people develop a deeper interest in table tennis and invest more in the game. I believe that if governments on the continent show more interest in table tennis, they will invest more in the game and the quality of African players will improve,” Toriola added.
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Toriola attended Seven Olympics during his peak of his career.
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