Table tennis enthusiasts are gearing up for the exciting commencement of the 13th African Games, scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana from March 8 to 23, with table tennis serving as the opening event.
As one of the sports expected to showcase exceptional talents and skills, athletes from 29 countries will compete in seven events, with all eyes on Africa’s highest-ranked player, Quadri Aruna of Nigeria, who is determined to clinch the men’s singles title, a feat he is yet to achieve in his illustrious career.
The Accra International Conference Centre will host the table tennis event for seven days, featuring intense competition among 84 men and 62 women vying for the coveted prizes in their respective categories.
According to the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), the men’s singles tournament will kick off the proceedings, with 18 men’s teams divided into six groups of three each, while the 12 women’s teams will compete in four groups.
The top teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage of the event.
In previous editions of the games, Egypt has been dominant in all events, securing the majority of the gold medals ahead of Nigeria, a former heavyweight in the continent.
In the men’s singles category, defending champion Olajide Omotayo will face high expectations as he aims to replicate his past success.
However, he faces stiff competition from rising talents and seasoned players alike, including Aruna.
Meanwhile, women’s singles defending champion Dina Meshref will strive to retain her title amidst fierce competition, particularly from her compatriot Hana Goda, who has showcased exceptional performance in recent championships.
Khaled El-Salhy, President of ATTF, expressed excitement over the impressive turnout of teams for the games, emphasizing the opportunity to showcase talents and skills, particularly among emerging players like Nigerian youngster Matthew Kuti, who is set to make his mark on the continental stage.
