By Monica Iheakam
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has named a three-man referee team for the 2017 ITTF World Tour tagged Nigeria Open billed for the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
The ITTF World Tour Coordinator, Emese Barsai, said the team would be led by Algeria’s Abdallah Boudjahem who will serve as the tournament’s referee. South Africa’s Roderick Volkwyn is the deputy referee, while Nigeria’s longest serving umpire, John Peters is the tournament’s assistant referee.
According to the Tournament Director, Femi George, this year’s tournament hopes to be glamorous as top stars across the world have agreed to be part of the highest prize Challenge series in the ITTF calendar.
“We are expecting more countries and stars this year because the tournament has continued to grow in leap and bound as more players have started identifying with the championship as Africa’s elite championships.
“Apart from competing, the players are eager to have a feel of Nigeria particularly Lagos State which for them is a unique city for most Europeans.
“We hope and believe we can continue to improve on the organisation of the championship and this year will not be an exception as all is set for the tournament holding on August 9 to 13 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium,” George said.