After Egypt became the first African country to host the global table tennis family in the first one in 1939, all eyes would be on the continent on the International Convention Centre (ICC) Durban in South as the 2023 International Table Tennis Federation)ITTF) World Championships gets underway today. OLALEKAN OKUSAN, who is covering the event, gives a glimpse of what to expect in what should be an unforgettable nine days in the rainbow nation
The saying, ‘delay is not denial’ is indeed a truism as Africa has a unique opportunity of hosting the International Table Tennis Federation)ITTF) World Championships yet again.
Yes, it has taken 84 years for another gathering of the greats in the table tennis world to play on the continent in the heart of Mother Africa here in Durban, South Africa as a global audience watches as events unfold between May 20 and 28.
Over the next nine days, the best table tennis players from across the world will slug it out in what should be an unforgettable experience for players, fans and officials of the game in an atmosphere of conviviality and African hospitality.
“This is the first time in 84 years that Africa will host the world championships,” ITTF President, Petra Sorling , said matter-of-factly.“ I’m very happy because I know it will be different from the first one in many ways, especially with the South African flavour. I cannot wait for the tournament to kick off.”
In the same vein, ITTF Vice President, Wahid Oshodi, is optimistic that South Africa would deliver a world-class event based on the country’s successful hosting of other big global sports tournaments.
“What gives us a lot of pride about hosting the world championships is that it was an African bid,” Oshodi explained“ Everybody came together to support South Africa because we knew South Africa has the capacity to host big events as they have hosted the football World Cup and cricket. “
He continued: “Table tennis shouldn’t be different. From their excellent organisation of those other global sporting events, we have seen what they can do, we have seen what Africa can do.
“You know, we need to keep improving and we all know that there is only one standard as far as the ITTF is concerned, that’s the world standard which I believe Africa will deliver.
“Africa will live up to expectations. Africa will bring on-board its cultures and it will be an exciting event in Durban.”
Equally, ITTF Africa President, Khaled El-Salhy, is glad that Africa is hosting the rest of the world, again.
El-Salhy said: “Africa is the first continent after Europe to host the World Table Tennis Championships in 1939, which was in Cairo, Egypt. Since that time, Africa has been waiting for 84 years and then the dream became a reality this year.
“ It is a very special year for us to host and to welcome all table tennis leaders, top players and the media to Africa, and I’m sure the world championships in Durban will be a very special one.”
Meanwhile, fans of the game hold high hopes that the African contingent – made up of male stars like Quadri Aruna, Omar Assar, Ibrahima Diaw, Mehdi Boloussa, Theo Cogill, and their female counterparts like Dina Meshref, Hana Goda, Fatimo Bello and Sarah Hanffou – would prove themselves worthy ambassadors of Africa by beating the field to the prizes at stake in South Africa.
Nigeria’s Aruna set the bar higher for Africa at the 2021 edition of the tournament in Houston Texas, United States when he defied odds to become the first player from the continent to berth in the quarterfinal of the global showpiece.
Aruna, who is the world’s highest ranked African player, said the joy of hosting the world championships in Africa would spur him and other African players to give it their all.
“I’m very happy and excited that the world championships is coming to Africa for the first time in 84 years,” the amiable Nigerian superstar stated. “I think this is a very good thing for table tennis in Africa.
“It will really motivate everyone. It means Africa will welcome the biggest players to South Africa.
“ I’m very happy for the hosting rights given to Africa and I’m looking forward to it because we are going to play in Durban and fans from around the world will be there. This will actually motivate and encourage African players to do well.
“At the last edition in the US, I was not really expecting such a record-setting performance which I achieved. I’m going with a better mind-set.
“Let’s see how it goes. I really want to play well with less pressure. I want to go out there and do my best and see how it goes, and hopefully it will be positive,” Aruna added.
Inspired by Aruna’s feat in the US, the Egyptian Assar hopes to follow the Nigerian footsteps in South Africa.
“At the last world championships, Aruna did very well to make it to the quarterfinal. I think it is a source of high hope for all of us that we can perform well as he did in the last competition,” Assar said.
“ I’m looking forward to having a very good competition in Durban.
“I would like to welcome all players from around the world to Africa and to beautiful South Africa. It is a very good opportunity for to see African players competing for world titles in Durban, especially the young players as they are going to learn a lot from the best players in the world.
“I have high expectations for the African players and I’m looking forward to a very good performance,” the 2023 Africa Cup champion stressed.
In another breath, seven-time African champion, Dina Meshref, has put the disappointment of losing the final of the 2023 Africa Cup behind her and is now focused on the competition in Durban.
“I’m very excited to play in the world championships in Durban this year, especially because it is in Africa. I am happy about that and I am looking forward to playing at such a great event in front of African fans. I hope I can bring my best performance there and achieve some good results,” Meshref said.
Also, African junior champion who will make his debut in Durban, Taiwo Mati, will be hoping to give his best against the elite players in Durban.
“We are looking forward to going there and doing our best. My target is to play well and give it my all. Hopefully, everything will work out well for me by God’s grace,” Mati said.
Similarly, 2010 African women champion, Sarah Hanffou, is excited to play in Durban: “I’m super excited to be part of the world championships. This is my first time playing the world championships in Africa. I was in Durban for the WTT event. It was an amazing experience and I am sure it is going to be amazing for all African players.”
Durban 2023 is billed to be a feast of lavish table tennis as 256 players compete in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles events.
So, let the games begin…