BY AYO MARQUIS
With his many medals in local and international table tennis events, Kazeem Makanjuola is leaving no stone unturned in his zeal to be ranked number one in the world of Ping Pong. Weekend SoccerStar recently caught up with the Asoju Oba Men’s singles champion, as he revealed his past and a glimpse of what to expect from him in future. Excerpts…
Your educational background
I attended Rabiatu Thompson Primary School, Surulere, after which I did my secondary education in two schools, owing to change of residence. Ajangbadi High school, and Tolu Comprehensive High School, Mokoya all in Lagos.
You didn’t mention anything on your tertiary educuation?
Yeah. That’s because I haven’t attended yet but I have plans to further my education and when I make the decision, Accounting would be my first choice.
What’s your style of play?
First, I am left-handed person, and then I play an attacking form of game. I serve spin balls and love to smash.
When did you start playing table tennis?
I started my table tennis career from my secondary school, and that was during inter-house sports. It was while I was playing for the house I belonged to (you know back then we were put into different houses with names of significant people to the school) and I won for the house I represented and from that time the school sponsored me to go for competitions involving table tennis.
When did you start active competition?
I started from the junior category in 1999 during the Star Cup at Rowe Park and emerged a semi-finalist, then in 2000 still in the junior category, I came out as 1st runner-up in the competition.
In year 2003, I played for both junior and senior categories and I was the champion.
Can we say that your journey to stardom started with that victory?
Yes, I never surrendered easily to any opponent, hence the reason for my strong desire to win. At the National Sports Festival that took place in 2004 in Abuja, I won the Men’s singles.
I also won the Asoju Oba Cup back to back from 1999- 2004. During the Gateway Games at Ogun State, I won my first gold medals in the men’s doubles event.
In the West Africa Games at Anoka in 2006, I played the Men’s singles and won a silver medal then doubles with Haruna Quadri, but we fell out at the quarterfinals.
In 2013, I participated in another National Festival and emerged champion in the Men’s singles.
What about your international games?
Ahhh, my international career started in Morocco, it was a UBN Club Championship, I came third, got a bronze medal. I also went to Congo for Club Championship event I was only able to make it to the quarterfinals and the same for the Club Championship in Egypt.
I went to the Porto/Kuwait/Qatar in 2014 and won silver medal in the Men’s double alongside Aruna Quadri. I also attended the German/Spanish Open in 2014 also and the Japan Open, we went as Team Nigeria. Aruna Quadri, Segun Toriola, Ojo Onaolapo and myself and made it to the semi-finals.
In the Cairo Open just some months back this year, I took part and in the doubles with Aruna and we won the gold medal.
Also in the German/Spanish Open this year during the Men’s singles, we crashed out at the quarterfinals (round of 16).
How many medals have you got so far?
I’ve got lots of medals, and I’ve lost count. I was counting before but at a time I told myself why the bother, so I stopped counting. So let’s just say it’s un-countable.
No, I don’t take Alcohol, it’s part of my personal principles as an athelete, and I should be fit so I shouldn’t take anything that would make me heavy or lose focus. I take water a lot, then juice.
How much was your first win?
I was given N3, 000 as my first cash prize during the Bashaka Cup. The cash was an additional to the gift I was given.
Your toughest game
My toughest game so far was against Lanre Aremu, during some of the previous editions of the Asoju Oba Cup tournament. He has been a constant rival. Anytime I am seeded to play him, I always hold my breath. He’s a very tough opponent, but in the end I won.
Playing table tennis, has it cost you anything?
Yes, it has cost me my education. Immediately I finished my secondary school education, I decided to take up ping-pong as a career, but it has cost me my tertiary education. I would love to further my education someday by God’s grace.
You just recently returned from China, can you give us details on the competition?
Yes I just did, but not only me, we were three, including Aruna Quadri and we went as team Nigeria. It’s actually my first outing on the World Championship stage. I managed to get through the group stage, and we lost out of the doubles in the last round of 32 to Brazil. Anyway it happens like that sometimes, you win, you loose. I also used it to gather more experience in the ping-pong game, learnt a bit of the language and tried to eat some Chinese delicacies.
The All Africa Games is at the corner, what’s your target?
The All Africa Games is one big stage for any aspiring athlete, it’s a platform to showcase one’s ability, and that’s what I intend to do. I very much believe that we would pick gold medals in the Singles and Doubles event and even in the team events. I promise Nigerians that I won’t disappoint them. I would do all it takes. We also need the prayer of Nigerians.
What is a major barrier since you started this table tennis career?
So far, the only major problem has been the issue of sponsorship and media coverage. Sponsorship has always been a bone of contention for us only a few are ready to, but how many people will they sponsor at the same time? I want to encourage some corporate firms to invest in sponsorship of table-tennis, so that we can go to competitions, gather experience, and go up in world ranking as a nation.
Secondly, media coverage is another major issue, our reporters don’t go outside Nigeria with us, when we go for competitions, even within Nigeria, It would be much better if table-tennis is given more media coverage like soccer. It would boost our morale.
Who has inspired you?
One of those who has inspired me as a mentor is Aruna Quadri, whom I played the doubles with in most competitions attended, I’ve learnt a lot from him. Also some people made sure my talent didn’t waste and that’s Mr. Lawal and Mr. Soji, they’ve been my inspiration. They keep encouraging me in all areas, especially in the area of finance.
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