ONE of Nigeria’s blue badge umpires, Patience Ikeme-Iwuno, has been listed among the umpires to officiate in table tennis event of the London 2012 Paralympics Games.
The Anambra State sports officer is one of the two African officials selected by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) to handle proceedings at the Games. The other African in the list is Egypt’s Mohamed Farrag.
The former player has participated in two world championships – in 2007 and 2008 (in Croatia and China) and was also at the two previous All Africa Games in Algiers and Maputo. Her efficiency in handling top matches prompted the Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) to appoint her as one of the officials that handled the final of the 2010 African Seniors Cup in Yaoundé, Cameroun.
An excited Ikeme-Iwuno told The Guardian that she was happy being listed for the Games and hopes to do the nation proud in London 2012. She said: “It is a big challenge for me and I hope this will spur me on to continue to do my best whenever I have the opportunity to handle top matches.
“There is no doubt that it is indeed an honour for me and my country to be among the officials at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.”
Also, Belgian Nico Verspeelt has been listed as one of two technical delegates on the International Technical Officials’ list for the Paralympics Games’ table tennis event to be staged in London’s ExCel Arena from August 30 to September 8, 2012. Australia’s Steven Wing Hung Lee will assist Verspeelt in that capacity.
Athletes numbering 276 will compete in 29 medal events and table tennis is one of the most popular sports at the Paralympics Games.
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Nigeria’s Ikeme-Iwuno makes umpires list