The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation has announced its team for the upcoming 2024 ITTF African Cup and Olympics Qualification Tournament, which is scheduled to take place from May 12 to May 18 in Kigali, Rwanda. The team includes prominent players Quadri Aruna, Offiong Edem, Olajide Omotayo, and Fatimo Bello, who will represent Nigeria at this prestigious event.
Quadri Aruna, who is currently ranked 19th globally, aims to leverage the tournament to improve his standings in the ITTF world ratings. Aruna, a finalist in the previous edition held in Lagos, had to withdraw from the final match due to a thigh injury after making a significant comeback, ultimately conceding the title to Egypt’s Omar Assar.
Omar Assar, the defending champion in the men’s singles, will be participating again, alongside his Egyptian compatriot Hana Goda, who will defend her women’s singles title. As hosts, Rwanda will have a larger representation with four male and four female players, while Egypt, the defending champions in both categories, will field three players each.
Olajide Omotayo, the 2019 African Games champion, is set to prove his mettle once more against some of Africa's top talents. Meanwhile, Offiong Edem, who led Nigeria to a silver medal at the 13th African Games in Ghana, is poised for another strong performance following her remarkable showing in Accra.
Fatimo Bello, who was a finalist in the 2022 edition, is determined to bounce back from a less impressive outing in Ghana and reclaim her top form in Rwanda.
The Kigali event not only serves as the African Cup but also as a qualifier for the upcoming Olympic Games. Quadri Aruna, particularly, is looking to secure his spot in his fourth consecutive Olympics. Notably, Egypt has already qualified for the Olympics based on their performance at the 2023 African Championships in Tunisia.
The tournament promises intense competition and an opportunity for the Nigerian team to showcase their skills on the continental stage. Fans and supporters are eager to see if Nigeria can bring home medals and secure Olympic berths during this crucial gathering of Africa’s table tennis elite.
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