Table Tennis Players Raise Hope As Boxers, Basketballers Go Down
From Olukayode Thomas, Athens
MONDAY Merotohun and Funke Oshinaike gave the Nigerian contingent something to cheer in the on-going Athens 2004 Olympic Games, as they defeated their opponents in straight sets.
However, it was a different ball game in the basketball court and the boxing ring, as Nigeria suffered heavy defeats in both events.
The female basketball team, which held a lot of promises based on the pedigree of players and track record of head coach, Sam Vincent, were the first casualties early yesterday. Nigeria took the lead in the first five minutes, with scores at 8-4. By the 10th minute, the Australians were leading 20-13.
They increased the lead to 34-26 at 15th minutes and 46-32 at 20th minutes. The game ended 85-73 in favour of the Australians.
Nigeria had 10 seconds chance point as against Australia's two. The two countries had two fast breaks each. The biggest lead of the game was Australia's 20 as against Nigeria's 5. The biggest score run 10-0 (20-13) for Australia, and 6-0 (67-56) for Nigeria.
Australian Lauren Jackson, who was exceptional in the game said: "We are satisfied with the results and not our efforts. We were a little bit stressed because this was the first game of the Olympics. We didn't have good defence and we faced several problems in our offensive functions, so we have to work hard in practice."
Jackson was being modest. The second quarter was pure domination by Australia, who entered with a 46-32 lead, due to an incredible three pointer by Kristi Harrower at the buzzer. Mfon Udoka scored 12 points in 24 minutes, while Amachree Maotabere scored 10 of her 17 points in the fourth period, helping to bring the scores to 77-70 with two minutes to go.
Then Jackson took control and her crucial points assured that they won. Team Nigeria players were down cast, opting to talk later.
Elsewhere at the Galatsi Olympic Stadium, Monday Merotohun humiliated Congo Democratic Republic's Babungu Momo in the men's table tennis singles. Merotohun won the encounter in 12 minutes.
The first game which lasted two minutes ended 11-5, the second and third which lasted three minutes each ended 11-8, 11-8. The last game which lasted for four minutes, also ended 11-8.
Merotohun, ranked outside 100 in the world, has an uphill task today as he faces Sweden's Jurgen Parrson who is ranked 22nd in the world. But he is confident of winning.
"I am not scared at all. I am playing to win tomorrow (today); nothing will stop me. I am not bothered about rating. Those that are bothered should look forward to an upset. I will go there and fight and I will come out victorious," he said.
Shortly after Merotohun's victory, Funke Oshinaike also defeated Chile's Rodriquez Berta 4-0. Winning 11-9, 11-8, 11-7, and 11-9. Smiling and shaking hands with all and sundry, she thanked God for the victory, as she looked forward to a successful Olympics.
Like Merotohun, Funke has a difficult task today, as she plays Hungary's Krisztina Toth who is ranked 26th in the world. Funke is ranked 192. She is also optimistic that she will advance to the next round.
Team Nigeria table tennis coach, Babatunde Obisanya, said the victory by his wards showed some prospect, but he is looking forward to tough opposition in today's game.
"I look forward to our players doing their best, and seeing how they will perform against highly-rated players in the world."
Talking about upset, Obisanya argued that, "you must read well before examination," adding that "the Olympic Games is the ultimate and before you could expect upset, you must have prepared to a certain level. And though there is the element of luck, I am looking forward to favourable upsets, in this Games."
Talking about team Nigeria preparation for the Athens games, Obisanya said it was the best ever, "but things could still be better. But we need to start the next one now, with the best in the world. Before the next Olympics."
In the boxing ring, Isaac Ekpo lost by 21-11 points to Uzbekistan Utkirbek Haydarov. Ekpo who took his defeat with humility said: "I cannot say much about the contest, but I am not happy with the result. There is nothing I can do about it.
"On the future, we will have to wait and see. I m not sure about turning professional."
