Quadri, Assar lead Africa as ITTF world fiesta serves off in Germany

Africa’s top seeds, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri and Egypt’s Omar Assar will lead seven other African nations to this year’s International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Championship, which serves off today in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The African representatives are among over 613 players from a total of 108 countries that will be competing for the coveted titles held by the Chinese in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles in the eight-day event.

Quadri’s exploit at the 2014 championship is still fresh after he became the first African player to qualify for the quarterfinal of the ITTF World Cup. Assar’s experience on the continent and at the world levels is expected to come to light in Dusseldorf.

A total of 66 tables will be used across the two competition halls and training venues, with 7,000 specially branded balls supplied by Nittaku exclusively for the World tournament.

150 umpires are also expected to officiate, as athletes will have a great deal of court to cover in 7,000 square metres of Gerflor flooring.