After winning the International Table Tennis Federation Africa Cup for the first time since 2017 by defeating Egypt's Mohamed EL Beiali 4-0 at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, on Tuesday, Nigeria's Quadri Aruna waxed poetic about realizing his dream of becoming a table tennis player once more, according to PUNCH Sports Extra. Aruna defeated the Egyptian easily in the one-sided final, winning 11-5, 11-6, 12-10, and 11-3 to become the new Africa Cup winner. After losing the previous five finals to the Egyptian teams of Omar Assar (2023, 2022, 2019, and 2018) and Ahmed Saleh (2020), it took Aruna six finals to win back the men's singles title. Aruna and Bieali met for the thirteenth time in the final, with the Egyptian vying for his first singles crown.
It doesn't matter where you come from—I never gave up on my ambition," Aruna said to ITTF Africa following the match.
I simply want to let them know that anything amazing is achievable for every person. I hail from a little town in Oyo State, Nigeria, and growing up was incredibly challenging. Any competition is never simple to win, but I'm glad I gave it my all and was able to achieve the desired outcome. I've always had the perseverance to keep going even when I'm feeling low. The African No. 1 expressed happiness over the triumph, saying it was the result of all his hard work.
For her seventh title, Dina Meshref defeated Mariam Alhodaby in the all-Egyptian women's singles final. She hadn't won since 2020. To go to the final, Meshref overcame Nigeria's Offiong Edem 4-0, while Alhodaby easily defeated the reigning champion Hana Goda 4-0 in the semi-finals. More than fifty players from fifteen different countries competed in the competition as they prepared for the African Olympic Qualification competition, which takes place on May 16–18.
Aruna Quadri, the fastest player in table tennis for Nigeria, was congratulated by President Bola Tinubu on winning the Africa Cup championship of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Reacting, Tinubu praised Quadri for his unwavering pursuit of success "even in the face of gnawing obstacles" and declared that his hunger for distinction, his perseverance to achieve, and his resourcefulness to handle difficult issues are what truly set Nigerians apart.
"The President also notes the recent progress in the nation's sports sector, with remarkable performances in the African Games, the Africa Cup of Nations, and the World Relay Championships, and emphasizes that his administration will continue to foster the growth and development of sports in the country," Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu's Special Advisor, said in a statement.
