by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer
Selection for Budapest follows her success at the 2018 National Sports Festival in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, where she emerged as the national champion.
Notably the selection somewhat surprised Ajoke Ojomu, at first she thought it was a joke but when the entire team received visas from the Hungarian Embassy in Abuja, reality dawned.
“My studies have been affecting my call-up to the senior team but after winning the National Sports Festival in December 2018, I was listed in the team coming to Hungary. When I got a call from the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, I had thought it was one of those pranks that had been played in the past. Even when we went to the embassy, I did not still believe that I will be going to Hungary but when the visa came out and I was informed, I now knew it was a reality,” she explained.
The visa received, Ajoke Ojomu went to work with her coaches David Ezekiel and Muftau Adedokun to hone her skills ready for the Hungarian challenge.
“I cannot believe I just won my first game at the World Championships. I was a bit confused when the match started. I could not understand how to return my opponent’s service as it was a bit odd playing against a player that used pimples in her forehand. After losing the first game, my coach told me how to respond; that really gave me the confidence to complete the win. It is a major boost to me personally and I dedicate this win to my mother, who has been very supportive and all those who have always been there for me when I was not making the senior team.” Ajoke Ojomu
It was a most controlled performance, the success well merited.
“I know I still have a lot to offer and this win has indeed inspired me to aim high in this tournament. I have also realized that winning points with service is vital for every player. We were not used to this in Nigeria. I am praying and hoping that I improve my ranking with this competition. The support from my teammates has been awesome because their experience in the game was also helpful to me,” Ajoke Ojomu
Ajoke Ojomu now faces the Korea Republic’s Yoo Eunchong in her remaining group match.
