Egypt dominates ITTF Africa Cup Championships

Table tennis

Egypt, once again sparkled at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Cup Championships, which ended, yesterday, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium. Egyptians won continent’s titles in the men and women singles’ categories.

In the men’s challenge, Assar Omar regained the title after a bitter 4-3 defeat of the ITTF number 10 seed, Quadri Aruna, in a keenly contested duel.

At the Teslim Balogun Stadium, which the championship held, Aruna began on a shaky note, but steadied ship afterwards. At 3-3, the Nigerian was leading in the challenge, until he twisted his leg while attempting to return a ball. After the incident, he could no longer compete favourably due to the excruciating pain. The development eventually cost him the title in front of his supporters, who thronged the venue in large numbers to cheer him.

In the women’s cadre, teenage sensation, and World U-13 number one, Egypt’s Hana Goda, overwhelmed Fatimo Bello, in a one-sided game, as she took on the winner of the table tennis event of the last National Sports Festival to the cleaners, defeating her 4-0.

Egypt also claimed the third spot (Mohamed El-Beiali and Dina Meshref) and fourth (Ahmed Saleh and Mariam Alhodaby) positions in both the men and women singles events.

Winners of the different categories were rewarded with cash prizes of $5,000; first runners up $2,500; second runners up $1,500, and third runners up, $1,000.

Assar, in his remarks, said he was happy to compete in Lagos after the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that Lagos remains the best place to compete for titles in the game of table tennis.

“First, I am very happy to perform here in Lagos, and I believe here is the place I have received the most