“Nigerian players are threats to my title dream”

  

Egypt’s El-Sayed Lashin narrowly missed out from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games having attended the last three editions, but the former African champion believes he can use the forthcoming ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open to placate his absence in Brazil.

Lashin in 2014, he came close to clinching the ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open but it was his compatriot, Omar Assar that dented his ambition. But with the absence of Omar Assar this year, Egypt’s El-Sayed Lashin is optimistic that the title is within his reach. He however said that Nigerian players remain major threats to his title dream.

Despite the presence of more European players including star-studded local players from Nigeria, El-Sayed Lashin may be using the title to pacify himself from missing out of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

A confident El-Sayed Lashin said: “I must not forget the talents of Nigerian players because they are very skillful and my target in Lagos this year is to ensure I can improve my ranking better than what I am at present as well as try more this year to win the men’s singles title as much as I can.”

Being his second visit to Nigeria’s populous city, Lashin is seeing Lagos as a good ground for him to claim his first ITTF World Tour title. “During my first time in Lagos, I finished second in the men’s singles behind Omar Assar and I also settled for second place in the ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup in 2014 but I hope and believe I can do better this year,” the Egyptian veteran said.

El-Sayed Lashin is also thrilled with the presence of top European this year in Lagos and he says this would surely add glamour to the championship. “I think this is what has been missing in the competition and now we are having more players coming to coming to compete. I think the level  of  table tennis is going higher  and  this is very good for Nigeria  and  all  players  playing  in this  tournament as it will help their ranking and they will also play against top players,” he added.

The Egyptian warlord admitted that all players taking part in the tournament have equal chance to win the title while they are all his rivals. “I believe everybody playing in the competition is my rival,” he said.