ATTF Boss Tips Nigeria, Egypt As Title Contenders At ITTF Africa Senior Championships

President, Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy believes Nigeria and Egypt will be title contenders at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior Championships holding next month in Cairo.

The ATTF, who is still thrilled with the singular effort of Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri this year, believes the Portugal-based has the quality to clinch the ITTF Star Awards.

“I believe it is too much difficult for any country in Africa to dominate the tournament this year, owing to the high level of competition and close standard between the trio of Nigeria, Congo Brazzaville and Egypt”, said El-Salhy.

From the records of the tournament, Nigeria and Egypt have always dominated the competition. In 1985 in Alexandria and three years later in Lagos, Nigeria completed a clean sweep of titles; in 2004 in Mauritius, Egypt did exactly the same.

Now, for the forthcoming 2015 ITTF-Africa Championships, which start in Cairo on Friday 23rd January, no nation is sure of leaving Egypt’s capital city on Thursday 29th January with a full house of titles?

The ATTF is hopeful that Quadri will win the Male Table Tennis Star of the Year Award at the Dubai Star Awards Gala Dinner in early January.

 “For sure, Quadri’s presence in Egypt will raise the level of competition in all the events”, added Khaled Ek-Salhy. “I am sure Quadri is planning to improve his standard and ranking in the New Year, as at the same time all other competitors from Egypt and Congo Brazzaville.”

 After his efforts on the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour and at the Liebherr Men’s World Cup, Quadri has become a name to note.

“It was a great pleasure for me personally and for the Africa Table Tennis Federation to have an African nominee for the ITTF Star Awards, especially Quadri Aruna, who is a nominee in two categories”, added the ATTF helmsman.

“I personally voted for him and asked all my close friends to do the same to promote the sport in Africa; let's pray that the award finally goes to the right person.”

In addition to his nomination for the Male Star of the Year, Quadri Aruna is also nominated in Point of the Year; the instance being at the Liebherr Men’s World Cup when he stunned China’s champion elect, Zhang Jike.

A stunning performance and from Quadri no doubt more to come; in Cairo he will be a name to note; certainly he the principal challenger to host nation aspirations of a possible full house.

He said the management of LBHF and LSABA would heed to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola's advise to embark on a training tour of Cuba or top boxing nations in the world.