Table Tennis: Assar, Goda Win At ITTF Africa Cup In Nairobi

Egyptians Omar Assar and Hana Goda are the 2023 ITTF-Africa Cup men’s and women’s singles champions following scintillating displays at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani indoor gymnasium.

Assar defeated Nigerian legend Quadri Aruna 4-1 in the best of seven men’s singles final despite the pain caused by an inflamed back.

After the historic match in Nairobi, Assar commented: “This will perhaps go down as the hardest ever ITTF Africa event that I have ever played. I was very close to quitting when I arrived in Nairobi with a back injury, but thanks to the Kenyan medical team for their efforts, as this wouldn’t have been possible. I feel for Aruna, he is a great player.”

In winning the Nairobi edition of the continental Cup, Assar chucked up his 10th career ITTF Africa title having won the 2018 edition in Nairobi.

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Aruna on his part said: “I should have been more patient with the game. 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,”

Earlier on, Hana staged a stunning comeback to defend the women’s singles title with a convincing 4-3 victory over Olympian and multiple winner Dina Meshref.

Accompanied by her mum and cheered on by partisan Kenyan fans, Hana dismissed compatriot Dina in a pulsating final which treated Kasarani crowd to some exhilarating displays.

In the process, the Germany-based Egyptian star entered her name in the annals of table tennis history as the youngest ever player to defend a senior Africa continental title at the age of 15.

“I’m lost for words, I mean I just don’t know how to describe my win. It hasn’t sunk in yet,” an emotional Hana quipped of her fairy tale feat.

Hana’s win over Meshref was a repeat of last year’s final in Lagos where she beat her senior to become the youngest continental winner ever at the age of 14.