Table Tennis
INJURY KNOCKS OUT ARUNA QUADRI OUT OF QATAR OPEN
Following the recurring thigh injury he sustained during the African Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Tunis at the weekend, Africa’s best ranked player, Aruna Quadri has been ruled out of action for three weeks.
This has also forced him to withdraw from the ongoing ITTF World Tour tagged Qatar Open holding in Doha.
In Tunis, the medical team of the tournament confirmed that the Nigerian had a recurring thigh injury which he was nursing before the tournament but further examination in Lisbon, Portugal later revealed that he suffered another hamstring injury in Tunis.
The ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup runner’s up has been advised to rest while undergoing treatment.
Aruna Quadri was closed to picking his tickets from the continental qualifiers in Tunis last week, but he had to withdraw from playing his last match against Tunisia’s Adam Hmam to hand the Tunisian the last ticket to Tokyo.
After beating Togo’s Djouji Fanny 4-0 in the first group match, it was during the second group match against Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw that Aruna Quadri copped the injury but he managed to finish the game which went 4-2 in favour of the Senegalese.
But based on doctor’s advice, Quadri had to withdraw from playing the last group match which would have secured him a place in the Olympic Games.
From all indications, it is clear that the Nigerian can still pick his spot at Tokyo based on his world rating as the 18th best player in the world.
However, the Oyo State-born 2014 ITTF World Player of the Year expressed appreciation to fans across the world for their concern when he sustained he withdrew from the Olympic Qualifiers in Tunis.
“I want to thank my family and fans across the world for their support during this trying time. Most importantly the Tunisia Table Tennis Federation (TTTF) for their prompt response when I sustained the injury.
“The three weeks will help me to recover and I hope to be back for Sporting in the semifinal of the ETTU Cup early next month. Thank you and I will continue to make you proud and always give my 100 percent every time,” Quadri said.
Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Egypt’s Hana Goda are among the elite players set to compete at the WTT Star Contender Ljubljana 2025, taking place in Slovenia.
The WTT Star Contender Ljubljana 2025 boasts a prize pool of $300,000 and offers valuable ITTF Table Tennis World Ranking points.
The singles champions will receive $17,000 and 600 points, while the doubles champions will take home $5,500 and 600 points.
This highly anticipated event, hosted at Hala Tivoli in Ljubljana, has attracted a star-studded lineup of table tennis greats.
Aruna, currently ranked 24th in the world and the highest-ranked African player, is seeded No. 14 in the men’s singles and has received a bye into the second round (last 32). He is expected to face the winner between Japan’s Shunsuke Togami and China’s Xu Haidong on Friday, June 20.
Similarly, Goda, seeded No. 15 in the women’s singles, also received a bye into the second round. She is set to face the winner between Japan’s Sakura Yokoi and South Korea’s Joo Cheonhui.
Some of the world’s best players will battle it out over five events in what promises to be a week-long table tennis spectacle.
Leading the charge in the men’s singles is Brazilian star and 2025 World Championships runner-up, Hugo Calderano.
Known as the “Thrill from Brazil,” Calderano returns to Slovenia with bold ambition, looking to defend his title from last year’s triumph.
Joining him are global heavyweights including Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto, winner of the Men’s Singles title at WTT Star Contender Doha 2025; Felix Lebrun, champion at WTT Champions Montpellier 2024; and Slovenian home favourite Darko Jorgic.
In the women’s singles, Japan’s Miwa Harimoto headlines the field after claiming the title at WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025. Her compatriot Hina Hayata is also back to defend her title from last year’s Ljubljana tournament.
Other strong contenders include South Korea’s Shin Yubin, seeking her first WTT Star Contender title, as well as Romania’s Bernadette Szocs and China’s Qian Tianyi, both of whom are expected to make deep runs in the competition
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Participants in the table tennis event of the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, will be vying for a total of 46 gold medals up for grabs.
The table tennis competition features athletes across three categories: able-bodied, para-athletes, and deaf athletes. Seven gold medals are available in the able-bodied category, while deaf athletes will contest for five gold medals. Para-athletes will compete for a whopping 34 gold medals across various events, including singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team events.
In the able-bodied category, athletes will compete in singles (for men and women), doubles (for men and women), mixed doubles, and team events (for men and women). Deaf athletes will contest in singles (men and women), doubles (men and women), and mixed doubles.
Para-athletes will participate in four team events—men’s classes 1–5 and 6–10, and women’s classes 1–5 and 6–10. There will also be 18 singles events for men and women, eight doubles events, and four mixed doubles events.
Delta State dominates the seeding lists for both able-bodied and para-athlete categories. Fatimo Bello of Delta State is the top seed in the women’s singles, while Bayelsa’s Olajide Omotayo leads the men’s singles. Lagos and Oyo States top the seedings in the deaf singles events.
According to the tournament referee, Ranti Lajide, this year’s tournament promises to be thrilling, especially with the inclusion of Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) by the National Sports Commission (NSC).
“Lajide said: “We are going to witness top-class table tennis, especially from players who recently featured in the ITTF World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
“The knockout format of this year’s tournament will make it even more exciting and competitive. I hope we can conclude all matches before the closing ceremony on May 29,” Ranti said.
“The turnout of teams has been impressive, even from states that haven’t traditionally featured in the table tennis events of the NSF. Beyond the medals, I believe the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) will be able to discover new talents for future development,” he added.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The race for medals in the table tennis event of the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, kicks off on Saturday, May 24, at the Alake Sports Centre in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
As one of the marquee events of Nigeria’s version of the Olympic Games, table tennis has drawn a large turnout of teams from across the country. Notably, foreign-based stars such as Olajide Omotayo, Azeez Solanke, and Taiwo Matti will be representing Bayelsa State, adding international flair to the competition.
Lagos State will be led by national champion Matthew Kuti and Muiz Adegoke, while strong contenders from Kwara, Ondo, Oyo, and Delta are also expected to make their mark.
According to an official from the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), the event was slightly delayed to allow the conclusion of the badminton competition, which shares the same venue.
“We’re expecting a more competitive tournament this year, with increased participation from teams that haven’t featured in recent editions. Some players are fresh from the ITTF World Championships in Doha, so fans should expect fireworks in the team, doubles, and singles events,” the official said.
Omotayo, currently Nigeria’s second-highest-ranked player globally, will face stiff competition from top home-based talents like Kuti, Adegoke, and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai. Kuti, one of the most consistent players on the national circuit, has dominated recent tournaments and is eyeing his first National Sports Festival title. Abdulfatai, fresh off a national tournament win in Osun, is also a strong contender in both singles and doubles.
Oyo State, under the guidance of Coach Dotun Omoniyi, will not be overlooked. The team features seasoned players like Akinwale Fagbamila and Joshua Olaniran, who bring experience and resilience to the Sunshine State’s campaign.
In the para table tennis event, all eyes will be on homeboy and Paris Paralympics bronze medalist, Isau Ogunkunle, who will be aiming to affirm his dominance in the Men’s Class 4 of the singles event, while Faith Obazuaye, a Commonwealth Games medalist will lead the Edo State contingent in the Women’s category.
From May 24 to 28, all eyes will be on the Alake Sports Centre as the table tennis event promises to unearth new stars and deliver thrilling action at this year’s multi-sport festival.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- OBITUARY2 days ago
BREAKING: Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai is dead
- Nigerian Football2 days ago
Football Agent John Shittu Demands Retraction and ₦250 Million Damages from Samson Siasia Over Bribery Allegation
- WAFCON1 week ago
Super Falcons Land in Morocco, Eye Historic ‘La Decima’ Women’s AFCON Title
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Kwara United Clinch Historic First Title as President Federation Cup Final Goes to Penalties for the 18th time
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Rivers Angels Crowned 2025 Female Federation Cup Champions After Penalty Shootout Thriller
- OBITUARY2 days ago
Peter Rufai looked lean when I last saw him, says mourning NFF President, Gusau
- OBITUARY2 days ago
Family issues statement on Peter Rufai
- IMMEMORIAL1 day ago
Peter Rufai’s Death Adds to Long List of July Tragedies in Nigerian Football