Nigerian table tennis superstar and reigning men’s African champion, Aruna Quadri will have to wait a little longer to defend his title on the continent.
Quadri was to defend the title he won in 2018, in October this year in Cameroon, but the event will no longer hold as planned.
This is following the posponement of the 2020 African Senior Championships by the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF).
The continental body have officially confirmed the postponement of this year’s edition of the event which serves as the continental qualification for the World Championship.
In a statement signed by the ATTF President, Khaled El-Salhy, the postponement became necessary owing to the COVID-19 pandemic which has halted sporting activities globally.
“I wish to inform all table tennis friends and colleagues in your country, the importance of a safe and healthy lifestyle in the current circumstances due to the Covid-19 Pandemic,” he said.
Read Also: Aruna Quadri wins fifth Portuguese League title with Sporting before departure
“On Thursday 2nd July 2020, the ATTF Executive Committee had an online meeting to discuss the case for the ATTF Calendar of 2020 which had been suspended earlier until further notice.
“We are closely monitoring the global and continental situation day-by-day to come back to you with the following decision.
“We acknowledge the continuation and expansion of the pandemic in the whole world and consequently in Africa, as there is no guaranteed medicine or vaccine available.
“Even normal international travel will not be possible till the end of 2020, thus it has been decided to postpone our following planned events:
– 2020 ITTF-Africa Youth, Juniors & Cadet Championships to be held in Madagascar
– 2020 ITTF-Africa Senior Championships & WTTC Qualification to be held in Cameroon next year 2021.
“Exact new dates for both events to be announced soon after checking the 2021 ITTF Calendar to ensure no conflict with other world sanctioned international events to provide better planning to your top players and national teams.” Khaled El-Salhy added.
The first event was intially billed for Madagascar in April, with the second in Cameroon in October.
Nigeria and Egypt are the defending champions in the team events while Quadri of Nigeria and Dina Meshref are the singles champions of the ITTF-Africa Senior Championships having emerged winners at the 2018 edition held in Mauritius.
Opinions