Olajide Omotayo is the greatest revelation of the just concluded All African Games where he emerged the shock winner of the men’s singles title of the table tennis event in his debut at the Games. In this interview with our correspondent, IFEANYI EDUZOR shortly after he came back from Morocco, the 2013 winner of Asoju- Oba table tennis championship, opens up on his victory at the Games, his future plans and many more.
Can you tell us how you became involved in the ping pong game.
Table tennis runs in my family. My elder sister was once a national team player and whenever she is playing, I always go to watch and cheer her and from there, I developed interest in the game. Apart from this, as a young boy we always arrange make shift tables in any available space in my neighborhood where we play among ourselves for fun and I’m happy that today am enjoying my decision to embrace table tennis as my first choice of sports.
At the just concluded All African Games, you surmounted all odds to defeat all the big names to win the gold medal. What was the magic?
The magic is hard work and dedication. At the games, I was seeded no 6 and seeing all the big names including our own Aruna Quadri and Segun Toriola, not forgetting the Egyptian duo of Omar Assar and Ahmed Ali Saleh and other great players from across all the countries of Africa and even some Chinese representing some African countries, I became scared but after carefully going through the draws, I made up my mind I was going to go far in the competition. As I was winning game after game, my confidence level increased and after defeating South Africa’s Kurt Lingeveldt, an experienced player by 11-4, 11-7, 11-9 and 12-10, I knew anything can happen and the rest is now history.
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Were you at anytime under pressure playing at the All African Games?
The answer to your question is yes. I was really under serious pressure when I played no 2 seed, Ahmed Ali Saleh of Egypt in the quarter- finals. At a stage, I was leading him 7-4 but he came back strongly and won the set. As if that was not enough, he also came back from 8-10 down to win another set but kudos must go to my coach for the psychological work he did on me during time out, encouraging me not to be deterred and not to lose focus and that did the magic as I won the game by 4-3 of 11-7, 10-12, 10-12, 11-6, 11-7, 7-11 and 11-6. It is also important to state that in that game, I ensured I did not get angry on table because my opponent did everything possible to upset me but I was determined not to give up. After winning that game which I will describe as my toughest, I became so excited for making it to the last four in my debut at the games and decided I must go for the ultimate prize, which is the gold my medal.
You defeated Segun Toriola in the semi- final and capped it up with a superlative performance against Aruna Quadri in the final, how would you describe your experience beating these two great Nigerian players?
Both players are great with a lot of experience. I see them as my senior brothers and mentors and will continue to respect them on and off the hall of table tennis. Having said this, I want to tell you that I took every game as they come. Immediately I defeated Egypt’s Saleh in the quarter- finals, I knew I was going for the gold medal and I approached the remaining games with full concentration, caution, seriousness and determination. Beating these two great players was not an easy task but I thank God Almighty that at the end of hostilities, I was able to win the gold medal in my first appearance at the biggest sporting event in Africa.
Aruna Quadri defeated you in the semi- finals of last year’s African table tennis championship in Mauritius, would you say your recent victory was a revenge?
I won’t describe it as revenge because in the game of table tennis, you win some and lose some. Table tennis is such an interesting game that a player you defeated in the morning can bounce back in the evening and beat you. The only thing I had going for me in the finals was that I remained focused and many of my opponents never saw me as a threat and that went for me. By and large, I played the game with a lot of determination knowing that Quadri is an experienced player. He also fought back hard and even when I was leading him by 3-0, he was not deterred but fought like a real champion to end the game 4-2.
Apart from the All African Games, which other major title have you won since you started playing table tennis?
This is my first major title at the senior level. At last year’s Africa table tennis championship in Mauritius, I lost in the semi-finals to Aruna Quadri. But at the junior level, I won the 2013 Asoju-Oba table tennis tournament. I also won silver at the Westchester monthly tournament in the United States when I newly moved to the country. And for my first two months in the States, I won five medals in the Robert Chen weekly tournament; winning it four times in a row. All these tournaments I won helped prepare me for the All African Games.
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Prior to the All African Games, did you at anytime dream of winning the gold medal in your debut?
I never dreamt of winning the gold medal considering the caliber of players paraded by African countries. Some of these players have played at the highest level and some have even played at the World Cup and Olympics. I came to the games like any other athlete to do well and at least be at the medals zone but when I started winning my games, I said to myself that you can do it and that is why I declared that my gold is worth more than a million and I will value it for the rest of my life.
Having won the gold medal, what should Nigerians be expecting from you?
At 24, am still young and have many years ahead of me to continue to play tennis. This victory is a challenge for me to be more focused and win more laurels for the country. We still have the Commonwealth Games and Olympics where I hope not to disappoint Nigerians. So, what I want to tell Nigerians is that I’m ready to put more smiles on their faces.
With your experience in Morocco, do you think Nigeria can still surpass the North Africans in the ping pong game?
Nigeria is a country blessed with abundant talents. All we need to do is have a good grassroots development programme to move our sports forward. It’s not that the North Africans are better than us but the environment they operate on is what is helping them. Many of their athletes are on scholarship and they attend regular competitions which is what we’re lacking here. Once the right things are done, Nigeria will regain its leadership position in table tennis not only in Africa but at the global level.
What advice do you have for upcoming table tennis players?
My advice is that they should be focused, never lose hope and listen to their coaches instructions. I believe that if I can rule the continent in my first appearance at the All Africa Games, any serious minded player who is focused and determined can equally do the same
