Rio 2016: This is Nigeria’s worst ever Olympics preparation – Table Tennis’ Toriola Raises Alarm

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Having been part of six Olympics build up, Africa’s most decorated table tennis player, Segun Toriola has lamented the preparation for the Rio Olympic Games describing it as the worst ever.

Toriola, 42, who will be making history in Brazil as the first African athlete to feature in seven Olympics said he has never seen this kind of preparation since he made his debut at the Olympics at Barcelona 1992 in Spain.

“I don’t think we ever had it so bad like this because even the last Olympics in London, by this time we have started preparation and I don’t think any athlete can do much in Brazil. It is disheartening that nobody is even telling us (athletes) what is the next thing we need to do. I think nobody should expect much from the athletes because most of our opponents are rounding up their preparation now while we have not even started,” he said.

He however, said that the idea of focusing on sports that are going to win medals, Toriola said, “I want our administrator to know that qualifying for the Olympics is now on a platter of gold as you have to compete to qualify to make it to the Olympics. But we have to know that it is the biggest stage for every athlete and all those that have been winning Olympics medal had quality preparation and I think our athletes should be given enough support,” the former African champion said.

Toriola, who had after nine years of playing professionally in the French table tennis league, will be quitting playing for Argentan club to move to Belgium.

Toriola, who is expected to feature in his seventh Olympic Games in Brazil played his last game for Argentan on May 3 and was honoured at the weekend by officials of the club in France.

Before dropping to second division two years ago, Argentan has played in the Premiership division and the team has been led by Toriola and this season the team finished third in the second division.

According to an official website of the club, “For his last match at the Bayard Argentan on Tuesday evening, May 3, 2016, Segun Toriola said goodbye to the fans and many of his fans will follow the Olympics in Rio.

He was in Argentan for nearly a decade. Argentan finished in 3rd place of the Pro B, and at home in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, the evening provided an opportunity for supporters to attend the final game of Segun Toriola. The Nigerian table tennis player who will play his seventh Olympic Games in Rio in August and left the club after nine years and after his last match Segun Toriola received gifts from his fans.”

The club however said, “At 42, the sporting star bows and he has confirmed that he will remain living in Argentan, where he built his everyday life.”

An excited Toriola said he would remain grateful to the management of the club while he said he would continue to train with the club while he plays professionally in Belgium.

“I would cherish my last match for the club because being the only team I played for in the French league I enjoyed every of my stay with the team. My heart will always be with them and I hope to continue to train with the club while I play in Belgium for the league matches,” he said.

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