Aruna, Assar to renew rivalry in Nairobi as Africa Table Tennis Cup serves off May 4

Omar and Aruna

Aruna, Assar to renew rivalry in Nairobi as Africa Table Tennis Cup serves off May 4

Hassan Abdulsalam 17:11 - 24.04.2023

Quadri Aruna and Omar Assar will again take their rivalry to Nairobi, for the 2023 Table Tennis Africa Cup

Quadri Aruna and Omar Assar will again take their rivalry to Nairobi, Kenya, when the 2023 Table Tennis Africa Cup serves off on May 4–6 at Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, Kenya.

The most decorated ping pong championship in Africa will witness the participating countries present two players each in men's and women's events, while Egypt, as the defending champions in men's and women's events, will nominate two players alongside the two champions.

The host country, Kenya, will present four players each in the men's and women's events, while Brian Mutua will lead the East African team against the visitors.

Aruna will be hoping to rule Africa again

Table tennis player Quadri Aruna, ranked 12th in the world, will be anticipating ruling the continent again as he missed out in 2022.

Quadri Aruna
Quadri Aruna

He missed out on the title in 2022 after suffering a thigh injury in the final to concede the title to Assar at 4-3. He will be hoping to reclaim the title following his recent form at international tournaments across the globe.

On the other hand, Omar Assar is rated 33rd in the world and the second-best-rated African.

Omar Assar
Omar Assar

In the women's categories, current African best ranked female Dina Meshref is at present in fine form following her display at the just concluded WTT Champions in China will be up against compatriot and defending champion Hana Goda who claimed her first continental title in Lagos last year.

We are ready to host Africa - Kenya

The President of the Kenya Table Tennis Association, (KTTA) Andrew Mudibo has no iota of doubt that Kenya is ready to host Africa.

Andrew Mudibo
Andrew Mudibo

“The preparation is on course and Kenya will be ready to host all delegations to the event. Yes, Kenya has started to host major events again, and this is in line with our development agenda in terms of developing the local talents we have.

"In the past, Kenya has hosted the ITTF World Cup, and we have also hosted the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships and several African events,” the KTTA chief stated.

The ITTF Africa Cup 2022 was held at the Mobolaji Jhonson Arena of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

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