The story coming out of the camp of Nigeria in Tokyo, the venue of the 2020 Olympics has not been too palatable with Nigerian Athletes not having the best of competition so far.
Most Nigerian athletes, and table tennis players in particular - have been knocked out of their individual events and issues of logistical laxity as usual dominate discussions in the Nigeria camp
However, it has not being all gloom and doom for Nigeria, as veteran Nigerian table tennis player, Olufunke Oshonaike received the Seven Club Award for making it to the Olympic for the seventh time.
But shortly before departing Nigeria for the Olympics, Oshonaike spoke with some selected journalists in Abuja where she x-rayed the problems bedeviling table tennis' growth in the country and her impression about receiving the award for her seventh appearance at the Olympics.
She also spared some words of advice for young Nigerians who desire to come into table tennis.
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The 46 years old eventually crashed out of the women’s table tennis singles event in Tokyo after she lost her first preliminary round game to Juan Liu of the USA on Saturday.
She expressed her excitement in a post on her social media accounts on Monday after she received the award alongside other athletes who have achieved the feat.
Her statement read: “I might not have won gold, silver or bronze, but what I got is what another woman has not gotten. The first seven-time Olympian in Africa and the first woman in table tennis woman in the world. Dreams do come true. I am a living testimony. Welcome Funke to the Seven Club Award. Thank you Nigeria. Thank you my fans all over the world. Thanks to my family and friends.Above all, thank to my Almighty Creator.”
Oshonaike started playing table tennis at a very young age on Akeju Street, Shomolu, Lagos, in the early 1980s. She won gold for Nigeria at 2007 All-Africa Games in Algiers, amongst a litany of medals at the continental sports fiesta. Her first participation at the Olympic Games was at Atlanta, USA in 1996.
