A Paralympics table tennis star, Isau Ogunkunle has lamented that lack of equipment and financial support have combined to hamper his preparation for the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics Games.
Ogunkunle, 34, caused the greatest upset at the 2019 Africa PTT Championships in Alexandria, Egypt, beating the African champion, Egypt’s Mohamed Sameh Eid to qualify for the games in Tokyo.
The athlete who spoke to Daily Trust Abeokuta yesterday begged for assistance to enable him prepare adequately ahead of the competition next year.
He said “I am not prepared. You can see the pat I am using to train. You can’t compare this with what my counterparts that will be featuring in the international competition use.
“I am just on my own. I have not got any sponsor or support from anywhere. I have a coach, who is very technical and he is trying his best but I need more to succeed.
“Had it been I have good facilities and equipment, my form presently would have been fantastic. This bat is not good enough to play. This bat costs N55,000 and I need at least seven pairs of this for training.
“With good equipment, I am very sure that I will deliver at 2021 Olympics.
He, however, noted that the pandemic which forced postponement of the tournament till next year was a blessing in disguise to him.
“If not for COVID – 19, I may not have qualified for the tournament. During COVID – 19, they stopped all the international competitions and all the ranking remains. That’s why I am making it to Tokyo 2021.
Ogunkunle, therefore, called on government and public spirited individuals to come to his aid.
