Egypt’s Assar, El-Dawatly ready to retain title

THE defending champions of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Lagos Open, Egypt’s duo of Omar Assar and Nadeen El-Dawatly say they are ready to defend their titles next month.

  Assar and El-Dawatly beat the opposition last year to win the men and women titles respectively at the Lagos leg of the World Tour. And even with all the expected players already confirmed for the five-day championship, Assar, who recently won the ITTF Africa Senior Championship in Cairo, said he would return to Lagos to take the crown back to Egypt.

  Assar has dominated the competition from the maiden edition in 2013 when he beat Nigeria’s Segun Toriola in 2013 and lat year when he defeated his compatriot, El-Sayed Lashin. The world’s number 43 is hoping to tantalise the Lagos fans with his entertaining style of play.

  Assar, who attained the highest rating in his career in the February ITTF ranking, was in superb from at the just concluded Kuwait Open, where he made the last 16 as the best player from Africa in the tournament.

  On expectations in Lagos, Assar said: “I love Lagos fans because there was never any dull moment during my two trips to Nigeria and I am looking forward to come and defend my title because I cherish the title and the ever-supporting Lagos fans.

    “I am looking forward to come to Lagos because the competition has become part of me and I am eager to come and enjoy myself. I know it is  not going to be easy against the Nigerians because they have lot of quality players.”

  Also speaking on her expectations, El-Dawlatly, who finished in third place at the ITTF Africa Senior Championship, is hoping to return to Lagos where he defeated her compatriot, Dina Meshref, to clinch her first World Tour title.

  According to the organisers of the Lagos Open, the Egypt Table Tennis Federation (ETTF) is coming to Lagos with over 10 players for the tournament.

  The organisers have revealed that they are perfecting preparation for the tournament, which deadline for players’ registration closed at 

the weekend.