VIDEO: I Want To Win An Olympic Gold – Female Table Tennis Sensation
“The greatest investment is in imbuing our people with self-belief, which would trigger their industriousness and creativity,” is one of the famous quotes of a former Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
It translates to dreaming big, aiming high, and pursuing greatness, among other visions which is propelled by a solid vision to excel and achieve. These and more speak about 13-year-old Khadijat Musa, an indigene of Ede, Osun State, who won gold in the maiden National Cadet Invitational Championships.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Musa of Osun worked hard to beat Funmilayo Ojo, who represented Ondo State 3-1 at the competition organised by Nigerian table tennis icon, Atanda Musa, in Lagos.
The table tennis sensation, in a chat with the medium on Wednesday dedicated the victory to her long-standing love for Table Tennis.
READ: NYG: Osun To Host Zonal Elimination Ball Games
“I started playing when I was 10 years old. I developed this passion when I was still small. Anytime I see people playing it, I admire them and I would join to play. Since then, I have liked playing it.
“We went for a school competition and I played with men and came first. It was from there that the coach saw the potential in me, and advised me to develop more interest. When I got here, I realised the setting is better than how we used to play outside.
“I am super elated to have come first at the tournament. This will be my first winning ever since I started playing in competitions. I am more than motivated. The dream is to win an Olympic gold medal in table tennis. I believe I can do it.
“My mother was hospitalised at the time of my win, so I could not really celebrate but I am happy. I want to win more. The government should assist in providing more facilities and training equipment for us,” Musa stressed.
Expressing delight at Khadijat’s win, her coach, Mr. Saka Suraju who could not contain his joy praised the youngster’s efforts.
His words, “I feel so happy for Khadijat to win at top 16 because at least there are ten group players out of the cadets girls singles and she came first. I feel really happy and I worked hard for her to come first.
“We went to Lagos for two competitions before this one and Khadijat lost in the last 32. It was the following day that the Atanda Musa National Invitational Tournament started and the same set of people that she lost to the earlier competition will still be the one she will play with. I was scared and doubtful that she may lose again. But as fate would have it, with a lot of prepping and tactics I gave her, she won.
“Before staying with me, she lives in Ede, but because of transportation issue and training, I had to transfer her school to Osogbo so that it will be easy for her to come to training. She now attends Fakunle Comprehensive High School and she is in JSS 3. I ensure she trains and go to school, one does not affect another.
“We have taken her to the Deputy Governor and we hope she wins more laurels for the state and the country,” the coach stated.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
