The Beijing Olympic Games will be the best, Nigeria number one table tennis star Segun Toriola said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Tuesday.
Toriola said he has visited China on several occasion for competitions, but said attending the Beijing Olympic Games will be a great experience for him as table tennis player.
According to him, table tennis is the most popular sports in China and the Chinese paddlers are the best in the world.
"The Beijing Olympic Games will be the fifth Olympics I will be participating and I have traveled to so many countries in the world and have been to most of Asian countries, but the atmosphere in China is quite interesting and encouraging.
"I feel the Chinese players will be under much pressure than other players because all eyes will be on them, the fans will want them to win all medals, but it is not possible because this is table tennis.
"I am not surprise when people discuss about the level at which China had prepared for the Games because I know what the Chinese are capable of doing in terms of preparing for any event," he said.
He expresses hope and confidence in the success of the Beijing Olympics, adding that the world will learn from the Chinese way of doing things.
He called on the leadership of the National sports commission and the Nigeria table tennis federation to borrow o leaf from the Chinese government in a quest to develop the sports in Nigeria by describing China as a big country with huge potential, both economically and politically that has always risen above all forms of challenges.
"Many countries of the world today have developed table tennis in their respective countries with the help of the Chinese expert, " he said.
He said Nigeria has all it takes to be like the Chinese player if the government and top individual show interest in the game.
Despite Nigeria's shoddy preparation, Toriola is optimistic that the nation can make meaningful impact in the Games.
He said he was ready to win medals for Nigeria at the Games, adding that the Olympics Games is the number one sporting event in the world any athletes can participate in.
"You cannot know what is going to happen but the male team has a better chance of doing well. I am ready to play better because I am getting older and I need to achieve something in the Olympics" he said.
According to him, Nigeria will send three male table tennis athletes to the Beijing Olympics, noting that despite Nigeria's shoddy preparation, he insisted the nation can make meaningful impact in the Games.
While blaming the dearth of infrastructure for the dwindling fortunes of the game in his country, he is confident that the men's team will do well at the Games.
Nigeria is the African representative in the Men as well as in the Women Team event.
"My hope is in the team event because few countries will be featuring in this category and I believe we have hope of picking a medal in the team event," the 33-year-old said.
"We are ready. The athletes have undergone hard training and our goal is to win Olympic medal for Nigeria in Beijing.
"I feel very humble to have been representing my country for over twenty years now and for making Nigeria proud," he added.
Toriola has ambitious plans for the future; the African top player is not yet ready to quit.
"I am looking forward to future Olympics because I don't know when I am going to quit.
"I am still playing well. Only when my body can no longer stand the rigors that I will quit.
"The game has become part of me, and I will consider coaching in future," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2008)