By Victor Kanayo
Continental Table Tennis giant Omar Assar of Egypt has again defeated his perennial rival Aruna Quadri 4-1 in the just concluded men’s singles final of the 2023 ITTF Africa Cup.
The ITTF Africa Cup which is an annual table tennis competition organised by the International Table Tennis Federation and the African Table Tennis Federation, beginning from 2016, serves as a qualification event for the World Cup.
Another Assar’s Cruise Time
The latest victory means Assar successfully defended his title in Nairobi, Kenya.
Assar, who won last year’s edition in Lagos, where he defeated Quadri in the final, has now won the title three times.
He won same title in 2018 and 2022.
Quadri’s Hope Hangs
Aruna, Africa’s number one went into the encounter to reclaim the title from Assar, only for him to fall short at Moi International Sports Centre, Indoor Gymnasium.
Speaking thereafter, Quadri said, “I think I did my best but it was one of those days. Things were not really working for me.
“Table tennis is a game of chances and you have to charge from the word go.
“I should have been more patient with the game.”
Women On The Prawl
In the women’s singles final decided earlier at the same venue, 15-year-old Egyptian Hana Goda successfully defended her title in a thrilling 4-3 win over her compatriot Dina Meshref.
