The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has announced its flagbearers for the upcoming 2024 ITTF African Cup and Olympics Qualification Tournament, taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, from May 12 to 18.
Leading the Nigerian contingent will be Quadri Aruna, Offiong Edem, Olajide Omotayo, and Fatimo Bello.
As per the tournament’s guidelines, each participating country is required to field two men and two women for the African Cup. Notably, Egypt, reigning champions in both men’s and women’s divisions, will field three players each, while Rwanda, as the host nation, will present four men and four women.
The lineup includes defending champions Omar Assar and Hana Goda from Egypt, who will aim to maintain their titles in the men’s and women’s singles categories.
Quadri Aruna, a finalist in the 2022 edition, hopes to make a strong comeback after a setback due to injury. Ranked 19th globally, Aruna eyes a return to the top ranks and faces tough competition from Egyptian stalwarts Omar Assar, Mohamed El-Beiali, and Youssef Abdel-Aziz.
Omotayo, the 2019 African Games champion, seeks to showcase his prowess against Africa’s finest in Kigali. Meanwhile, Edem, instrumental in Nigeria’s silver medal win at the 13th African Games, aims to replicate her stellar performance from Accra. Bello, a finalist in the 2022 edition, aims to overcome past challenges and demonstrate her best form in Rwanda.
In the Olympics Qualification Tournament starting on May 16 at the BK Arena in Kigali, Aruna eyes his fourth Olympic Games appearance. Egypt, having secured their tickets at the 2023 African Championships, will not compete in this stage.
