By Victor Kanayo
Between 25 and 27 February 2025, Africa’s table tennis sensation Quadri Aruna and two Egyptian counterparts, Dina Meshref and Omar Assar, will set Tunis, Tunisia, alight with the ITTF Africa Cup.
Both Aruna (men’s) and Meshref (women’s) are defending champions.
The tournament details were disclosed by ITTF Africa leadership in a statement made available to Heritage Times HT.
The statement revealed that, in addition to the titles, players will compete for spots at the 2025 ITTF World Cup in Macao, China, this April.
“As the first tournament on the ITTF Africa calendar, the event promises to be explosive, with many of the continent’s top players heading to Tunisia next week.
“The semi-finalists in both the men’s and women’s events will secure their places at the expanded ITTF World Cup.
“The El-Menzah Sports Palace, a multi-purpose arena with a capacity of 5,500 spectators, will host the three-day, $25,000 prize-money tournament,” the statement said.
Aruna will renew his long-time rivalry with Assar.
Aruna, the most decorated player in the tournament’s history, has won the title five times (2024, 2017, 2016, 2014, and 2009).
Assar has also claimed the title five times (2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, and 2015), but Aruna has appeared in more finals.
Other notable players include Benin’s Abdel-Kabir Salifou, Congo Brazzaville’s Saheed Idowu, and Tunisia’s Wassim Essid, who will be looking to cause upsets.
On the women’s side, nine-time champion Meshref will defend her crown against rising star and compatriot Hana Goda, the continent’s number-one-ranked player, and 2024 runner-up Mariam Alhodaby.
“The ITTF Africa Cup 2025 will feature a preliminary round on the opening day, followed by knockout stages on the final two days,” the statement added.
The four semi-finalists in both categories will automatically qualify for the ITTF Singles World Cup Macao 2025, which will be held from 14 to 20 April 2025.
