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Tag: Cairo

  • APC chieftain Cairo Ojuogboh buried in Delta

    APC chieftain Cairo Ojuogboh buried in Delta

    It was a tearful farewell, yesterday, as Delta All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr Cairo Ojuogboh was, yesterday, buried in his home town, Alihame, Ika South LGA in Delta state.

    Dr Ojuogboh was laid to rest at 12.57 p.m.

    He was 64 years old.

    There was a twelve canon salute in his honour shortly after his interment.

    Dr Cairo who was a traditional Chief in Ika land was installed Akinuwa of Agbor Kingdom in

    The event witnessed a large gathering of political associates, family members and sympathisers who thronged his residence to pay their last respects.

    A funeral mass was held at St John Baptist Catholic church in Agbor, Agbor Obi in Ika South LGA.

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    The officiating priest, Very Reverend Father Dr Charles Uganwa extolled the virtues of the late politician, describing him as a man who impacted his community, state and Nigeria.

    He admonished politicians to put the interest of the people over personal goals, adding that the late politician’s life was worthy of emulation.

    He said, “Dr Cairo Ojuogboh lived an impactful life. He is a man of the people whose life is worthy of emulation. He touched Alihame, Ika land and Nigeria as a whole.”

    He said despite sixty four years of nationhood, Nigerians are still grappling with abject poverty and the lack of basic amenities.

    Dignitaries at the occasion included Delta Governor Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, ex-Governors Ifeanyi Okowa, Ali Modu Sheriff, former Petroleum Minister, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Chairman Board, Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), Chiedu Ebie and ex- Speaker, Delta state House of Assembly, Mr Victor Ochei.

    The late politician reportedly slumped while watching the quarter final match between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana, the South African male team at the recently concluded 2024 African Nations Football Tournament hosted by Ivory Coast.

  • Reflections on 2024 Cairo International Book Fair

    Reflections on 2024 Cairo International Book Fair

    • By Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami

    As an author, I was invited to the 55th Cairo International Book Fair from January 25 to February 6, 2024. The event was conducted at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre situated in the burgeoning New Cairo. The attendance recorded within the 12 days was unprecedented and has been classified as unique and highly successful.

    The 2024 expo was attended by about 3.5 million people; authors and visitors were from over 70 countries across all continents. Books on display cover science, social science, religion, civilisation, disruptive technologies, and history, among others. They were written in various languages such as Arabic, English, German, Spanish, and Chinese.

    The pioneer Cairo Book Fair was in 1969, which translates to 55 years old. The Riyadh Review of Books noted that the exhibition held the position of the world’s second-largest book fair as of 2023. It was eclipsed only by the Frankfurt Book Fair, which takes place annually in mid-October in Germany. Inaugurated in 1949, it will be 75 this year.

    Based on the turnout, the 2024 Cairo Book Fair arguably surpassed the Frankfurt Book Fair. Each year, the authorities in Egypt craft a motto for the event. “We create knowledge, we preserve the world” was the slogan for the 55th convention. Undoubtedly, the world is being preserved through knowledge and its applications, which means skills – comprising soft, social, and hard skills.  

    Around 2.2 million books are published every year, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). In addition, Google made an attempt to estimate the number of books globally, starting from the official invention of Printing Press in 1440, now 548 years old.

    The technology company discovered that as of 2010, more than 129,864,880 books had been published. Therefore, if we reconcile the findings of UNESCO and Google’s count, we can safely say that we would have approximately 160,664,880 books available in the world by the end of 2024.

    Writing and reading books contribute to the success of individuals and communities. Divine messages of the Glorious Qur’an, Injeel (The Holy Bible) and the Attaurah (The Old Testament) are in the form of books and have been playing a critical role in making the world a better place, spiritually, economically, administratively and morally. The first word sent to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the Qur’an was “iqraa” (“read”).

    Late Charlie Munger, a successful business partner to Warren Buffett, said, “I think a life properly lived is just learn, learn, and learn all the time”; part of his formula for success is “never stop learning”. Buffett, a wealthy investor of modern time, dedicates two-thirds of his time to reading, reflection, experimentation, and sometimes writing.

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    Buffett revealed that the secret to his success is simple: “I just sit in my office and read all day.” He also advised: “Read 500 pages every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest…”. Similarly, Barack Obama, while serving as United States President, read for one hour every day. He still reads and writes.

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially adopted the month of March as the “month of reading” to nurture a culture of knowledge and learning. This is a good policy that should be adopted by other developing countries. We also need to reward and encourage young authors and researchers by introducing many incentives for them.

    Reading on a regular basis would significantly reduce the unproductive time teenagers and adults spend on multiple social media platforms. I urge the government, private sector, organisations, and individuals to take a deep dive into the advantages of reading and its benefits to personal, community, and nation building.

    In conclusion, while living, all and sundry are encouraged to either do something amazing worth writing or at the least write something worth reading. If you can do both outstandingly, you can be celebrated as a legend or a great mentor to be emulated.

    _Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami is a professor of cybersecurity and Islamic scholar_

  • African journalists converged on Cairo for training

    Journalists from 17 African countries including Nigeria, have converged in Cairo, Egypt for the 53rd training course for Young African Journalists.

    The three-week training is organised by the Union of Africa Journalists (UAJ), in collaboration with the Egypt’s ministry of information.

    Mr. Mahfouz Al Ansari, the president of the UAJ, said that the aim of the training is to enhance the skills of African journalists and to promote Africa and bring the challenges faced by it to the fore.

    Ansari, represented by Amb. Ahmed Haggag, a member of the High Council of Information, pointed that it was imperative that African journalists synergise and work to ensure that the continent gets to its zenith.

    READ ALSO: Khashoggi’s murder sparks calls for safety of journalists

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the topics to be covered include “The Role of translation and press to enhance cultural dialogue, Publicity influence on press and media in Africa’’ and “The development of hydraulic resources in Africa.’’

    Similarly, the trainees would be schooled on Peace and Security in Africa, Tools of external policy: Press and Media as models and the Autonomisation of women in Africa.

    The journalists are also slated to visit some tourist sites such as Egyptian museum, Alexandria city, the Pyramids and Sphynx among others.

    NAN reports that journalists from , Ghana, Chad, Cameroon, Togo, Morocco, Algeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Egypt are attending the programme.

    NAN further reports that 4000 journalists have benefited from the fellowship, since it commenced in 1992.

  • African govts should ratify free trade agreement, says Obasanjo

    Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has challenged African leaders, to give priority attention to the signing  of the African  Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), saying the deal has in its kitty investments worth $27billion for the continent.

    Obasanjo, who spoke on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt at the opening of the Intra-African Conference prior to the unveiling of the first Intra-African Trade Fair(IATF), said the trade fair was an essential instrument  necessary to actualise ACFTA, “  which he stressed  is vital for Africa and the continent’s transformation. “It is therefore imperative that all African governments, who believe in Africa’s progress, should not only sign the  ACFTA,, but should ratify it at once,” making a way for its implementation.

    He said the IATFA, which is the first of its kind in Africa, is expected to churn out deals worth over $27 billion, pointing out that the event has been designed to drive inter African trade and to support the implementation of the African  Continental Free Trade Agreement. He tagged ACFTA    a landmark agreement in the context of its value in economic integration, transformation  and progress in Africa’s development.

    The trade fair, in his words, “ will give each participant a platform for sharing in the context of African trade, investment and economic integration, leading to the  transformation and  development  of the continent . It will give opportunities to investors to showcase their goods and services  and share with others the trend and market openings.”

    Read Also: 2019: I’ll never be neutral, says Obasanjo

    Obasanjo praised the Africa-Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) and its Chairman, Professor Benedict Oramah for the efforts and contributions towards bringing the IATF dream to fruition.

    As he put it: “When we started planning for the project, we did not have any financial resources  Afreximbank provided significant financial resources, but Professor Oramah and  other senior management members of the bank committed so much of their time and resources with enthusiasm ad conviction that the trade fair would pay-off and would contribute ultimately towards the actualization of the ACFTA, which will play a vital role in driving business and generating employment  across the continent.

    “Afreximbank and the AU have worked tirelessly since the announcement of the trade fair in Kigali in March this year,” he stated.

     Obasanjo said without uninhibited trading among African countries, intra-African trade fair will amount to sham.

    “Africa needs to focus on what trade is needed, where the markets are, the size of the market, and the standards required by those markets, how and where to implement the value chains that serve the market.

    “We also need to fashion out the medium of payment within Africa for intra-African trade expeditions. These factors need to be combined in ensuring that there is commercially viable return and that the markets chosen are sustainable.”

    He said when Africa actualises its potential, it will earn more respect from the human race.

    Professor Oramah said Africa making history at the IATF, by reversing the colonial strategy of divide and rule, saying  the event signaled Africa’s readiness for economic independence. As he put it, “Africa should use the force of history to change the course of history.”

    He said 1,150 exhibitors from 80 countries would participate in the fair, with close to 40 from outside the continent.

    A large number of exhibitors, many of them from Nigeria were at the fair. The Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Pitan, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Chairman and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation,  Tony Elumelu, The Dangote Group, Fidelity Bank Plc, Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) BoI, Waheed Olagunju and several firms from Europe, Turkey, China, Indonesia, among others, are in attendance. The Prime Minister of the Arab Democratic Republic of Egypt, represented the Egyptian President at the opening ceremony.

  • FOOTBALL-LOVING BAGII OF SAKI SPEAKS… ‘My unforgettable time with Amuneke in Cairo’

    Debonair monarch, Bagii of Saki, Alhaji Adegoke Ghazaal Abdurrasheed Adekilutoro 1, recalls with nostalgia the humble beginning of Emmanuel Amuneke at Zamalek of Egypt and highlighted some sterner qualities that might stand the 1994 African Footballer of Year in good stead at his new duty post in Dodoma, reports MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN.

    Today, he sits on his ancestral stool with panache but the rigour of the office has not drained his solid attachment with football. And one thing stands out: his unforgettable moment with Emmanuel Amuneke, the newly appointed coach of Taifa Stars, the national team of Tanzania.

    Welcome to the soccer world of Alhaji Adegoke Ghazaal Abdurrasheed Adekilutoro 1, Bagii of Saki.

    The paths of Abdurrasheed and Amuneke actually crossed some 27 years ago during his undergraduate days at the Cairo Al-Azhar University when he served as a volunteer during the 5th All-Africa Games (AAG). It was at this AAG that Amuneke was spotted by Egyptian top side Zamalek after his blistering form helped the national U-23 team clinch the Bronze medal.

    The debonair monarch from Saki in Oyo State here recalls with nostalgia the humble beginning of Amuneke, their fond relationship and highlighted some sterner qualities that might stand the 1994 African Footballer of Year in good stead at his new duty post in Dodoma.

    “My first encounter with Amuneke was at the Alexandra Stadium in Cairo during the 1991 All African Games tagged Cairo ’91,” began the Bagii, the de-facto sovereign in the absence of Okere – the King of Saki. “Amuneke was the outstanding player of the tournament from the Nigerian team though it was Tijani Babangida who was (highly) rated before the tournament.

    “Amuneke stole the show but unfortunately, he was red carded in the (semi-final) match against Cameroon just to weaken our team and we eventually lost (1-0). But that was where he caught the attention of Zamalek FC.

    “I was a student at that time in Egypt and served as a volunteer guide during the All African Games. I was contacted on how to get the player and after the football tourney, Zamalek went for him.

    “When he eventually came to Egypt, I was the first Nigerian to visit him in his hotel room and offered him advice on how to go about things in Egypt.

    “This was possible because I was privy to the fact that Zamalek was going for him, so I followed the scenario and when he arrived in Egypt I visited him with my friend, Oba Abdul Qadir Alakuko of blessed memory.

    “From there, our friendship started. When he later moved from the hotel to a permanent accommodation at Said Street El Muhandeseen in Cairo, Amuneke requested that I move with him. I was a 300 level student at Cairo Al- Azhar University and living in a hostel.

    “I moved with him and we lived together for the period he stayed in Egypt. We ate together, slept together and I played a big brother role throughout his stay in Egypt.

    “As someone raised in Ajegunle, Amuneke was quick to adapt to the situation. My first impression about him is what is still holding us together till today,” reiterated the 54-year-old ruler.

    Thereafter, Amuneke ruled the wave with the Egyptian side and his wizardry on the left wing coupled with goals that helped Zamalek in one of their golden moments, including winning the domestic league title and African Cup of Champions (now CAF Champions League) which culminated in his choice as the 1994 African Footballer of the Year.

    The Bagii of Saki blasted on: “Amuneke was a phenomenon when he was with Zamalek, well loved by his playmates. His best friends included Nadir El Sayed who was the goal keeper because on many occasions he covered up for him even as a striker.

    “Also Tamir Abdul Hameed, Hisham Yakan and Gamal AbdulHameed were all his closest friends before Akin Akinseinde joined Zamalek through the recommendation and help of Amuneke.

    “Though Egypt is a Muslim- dominated country, Amuneke was not discriminated against because of his Christian belief. He was not the only Christian in the team then because there was also Ashraf Qaasim, an Egyptian who was also a defensive midfielder for Egypt that time.

    “I was his unofficial manager throughout his stay in Egypt because of my proficiency in the Arabic language. I read his contract or any document before he appended his signature; that is why he never got into any trouble throughout.”

    According to the Bagii of Saki, one of Amuneke’s outstanding qualities is perseverance even in the face of serious maltreatment, recalling how the former Julius Berger winger overcame a turbulent moment of his career to become a legend at Zamalek.

    “In the earlier part of the 1993 football season, Amuneke  was highly criticised by fans and management to the extent that the coach (Dave Mackay/Mahmoud El Gohary) lost interest in him and was retired to the bench even for the greater part of the second half of that season,” he recollected as if the event happened yesterday.

    “But about four matches to the end of the season, Zamalek were trailing Al-Ahly (bitter rivals with Zamalek in the Egyptian League) for the title; and Zamalek needed at least nine points from two home and two away matches to snatch the title from Al-Ahly.

    “As fate would have it, Amuneke scored hat tricks in three of the last four matches (two away and one at home). His nine goals and three wins won the title for Zamalek, and Amuneke was the club’s highest goal scorer and the MVP of that year.

    “Amuneke usually played from the left but he had his first hat trick the first time he was used as a top striker. I think that feast earned him a place in the national team under Coach Clemens Westerhof.

    “The late Coach Paul Hamilton was in Egypt that time to monitor Nigerian players abroad for the Super Eagles then and he watched one of those matches where he scored a hat trick; the rest is history.”

    Yet this crowned head still has in his head and heart in some great memories of those aromatic days with Amuneke in Cairo, describing the former Barcelona winger as a detribalised Nigerian and a gentleman with kind dispositions.

    “Amuneke is a down-to-earth and a kind-hearted person,” he noted. “A detribalised fellow; anytime he was going to play, I would pray for him in the Islamic way and it was okay by him.

    “Though an Igbo guy, most of his close friends are Yoruba and I remember Eric Asomugha who is from the Niger Delta. One more thing about him is that he used to accommodate Nigerian sports men and women, especially journalists who came to Egypt.  He’s a friend of journalists both local and international.

    “Of course, he has his own flaws as a human being. He keeps to himself and becomes moody if he is upset especially any time he has off day in a game.

    “His off-field engagement as far as I can recall is that he loved watching movies and listen to music, especially classic blues and native Igbo Christian music. He’s homely and religious.”

    Incidentally, the Bagii of Saki has religiously kept faith with his chum from his Cairo days and was forthcoming following the appointment of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning coach as the new manager of Taifa Stars of Tanzania. “I’m so much elated for the opportunity given to him (Amuneke) to coach a foreign national team. I believe Amuneke will perform excellently well because he’s hardworking and versed in the knowledge of the game of football.  He is going to bring his experiences to bear in improving Tanzanian Football.

    “Having known him well from his younger years, I think other qualities that can help him in his present job are his zeal, courage and his never-say-die spirit. He also has passion for the round leather game; he’s intelligent, humble and cool headed and his social life is moderate,” he stated matter-of-factly.

  • Afreximbank, finance professionals to meet on structured trade finance

    Afreximbank, finance professionals to meet on structured trade finance

    The African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) says it is committed to boosting African trade by enhancing the capacity of African  professionals on international trade and trade-related project financing issues.

    The bank said that as part of its efforts in this regard, it is organising a workshop for stakeholders on Structured Trade Finance in Cape Verde from Nov. 6 to Nov. 9.

    The bank said in a statement in Lagos that the workshop was being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance of Cape Verde.

    The statement quoted Dr Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, as saying that the workshop was also an important platform for African bankers and other trade finance practitioners to make major contributions that would boost African trade.

    According to Oramah, the 2017 seminar, the 17th in the annual series, will be part of Afreximbank’s effort to prepare African banks and financial institutions to meet the trade finance needs of the continent.

    He urged other professionals interested in participating in the event to visit the bank’s  Website (www.afreximbank.com).

    The four-day event will focus on “Receivables and Payables Finance” and “Syndications and Agency’’ and a workshop on factoring.

    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a foremost pan-African multilateral financial institution devoted to financing and promoting intra- and extra-African trade.

    Since 1994, it has approved more than $51 billion in credit facilities for African businesses.

    Afreximbank had total assets of $11.7 billion as at Dec. 31, 2016 and is rated BBB+ (GCR), Baa1 (Moody’s), and BBB- (Fitch).

    The bank has its headquarters in Cairo.

  • Kano declares Tuesday public holiday for Maitama Sule

    Kano declares Tuesday public holiday for Maitama Sule

    Kano State Government has declared Tuesday as public holiday in honour of late elder statesman, Alhaji Maitama Sule, who died, in the early hours of Monday in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt.

    The state government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Mallam Mohammed Garba, who confirmed that the former Minister of National Guidance in the Second Republic, died in Cairo after a protracted illness.

    According to the statement, the deceased lying in state will take place at the palace of Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11, to enable prominent Nigerians to mourn and pay their last respect to the elder statesman before his internment.

    The statement reads: ” The death has occurred today (Monday) of Alhaji (Dr.) Yusuf Maitama Sule, Dan Masanin Kano.

    “Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule died at a hospital in Cairo, Egypt, where he was receiving treatment for an illness.

    “Funeral prayer for the deceased will be conducted tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Emir’s Palace, Kofar Kudu, by 4:00 p.m.

    “Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has declared Tuesday a work – free day in the state to mourn the death of the elder statesman.”

    Confirming the ex-minister’s death, one of his surviving sons, Alhaji Mukhtar Maitama Sule, said he died 24 hours after arriving the Egyptian hospital.

    He said his father’s remains would be flown to Nigeria on Tuesday for a befitting burial.

  • Rangers depart for Cairo as Al Merreikh storm Garden City

    Rangers depart for Cairo as Al Merreikh storm Garden City

    Nigerian champions Enugu Rangers will fly out of the country today for their CAF Champions League second round, first leg encounter with Zamalek FC of Egypt on Sunday.

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed respected South African official, Daniel Frazer Bennett to be in charge of the clash at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo. Kick off is 9pm (Egypt time).

    Bennett will be assisted by fellow South Africans Zakhele Thusi Siwela (assistant referee 1), Sandile Dilikane (assistant referee 2) and Tinyiko Victor Hlungwani (reserve referee). The match commissioner is former FIFA referee Mourad Daami from Tunisia.

    Enugu Rangers’ chairman, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu said on Wednesday that the ‘Flying Antelopes’ have the go-go spirit and the tenacity to dig their feet into the ground against the ‘Mediterranean Knights’.

    “We will go to Egypt with a game plan to get a favourable result ahead of the return leg in Enugu next weekend,” said the former Nigeria captain and coach.

    Enugu Rangers eliminated Algerian debutants JS Saoura on the away goal rule in the earlier round, and must be at their best to overcome the experienced Egyptian campaigners to reach the lucrative mini-league stage of Africa’s prime club competition.

    Rivers United, the second team flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League, will host top Sudanese side, Al Merreikh at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt also on Sunday.

    The ‘Pride of Rivers’ were in great form in the earlier round, pounding AS Real Bamako 3-0 at the same venue after both teams played a 0-0 draw in Bamako in the first leg.

    Egyptian official Ghead Grisha, who was in charge when the Super Eagles defeated Zambia 2-1 in Ndola at the beginning of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying series five months ago, will superintend proceedings in Port Harcourt. He will be assisted by fellow Egyptians Tahssen Abo El Sadat Bedyer (assistant referee 1), Ayman Degaish (assistant referee 2) and Mahmoud Zakaria Mohamed (reserve referee). The match commissioner is Mukaila Nassam Adam from Ghana.

  • Pollution causes .6m deaths annually – UNEP

    Pollution causes .6m deaths annually – UNEP

    Indoor air pollution in Africa, is responsible for 600,000 premature deaths annually, a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said on Thursday.

    The report said that the continent’s reliance on the use of biomass for cooking, lighting and heating means that 90 per cent of the region’s population was exposed to health threat.

    It noted that land degradation, air pollution, and the provision of sanitation and safe drinking water were among the main problems on the continent.

    The report said that many of the region’s fisheries, both inland and marine, face over-exploitation from illegal, under-reported and unregulated fishing.

    It, however, said that the continent had an opportunity to use its large young population to drive its growth.

    “Low-carbon, climate-resilient choices can develop the continent’s infrastructure, accelerate industrialization, increase energy and food production, and promote sustainable natural resource governance,’’ it said.

    On water and sanitation, the report said the proportion of the population served with “clean water is increasing and grew from 64 per cent in 2005 to 68 per cent in 2012.’’

    It, however, said that absolute numbers of people without safe drinking water remain high.

    “More than half of the population in sub-Saharan Africa still does not have any access to improved sanitation, compared to 90 per cent coverage in North Africa, with a vast difference between urban and rural areas,’’ the report said.

    It listed African megacities such as Cairo, Kinshasa and Lagos, and emerging mega cities such as Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg and Luanda, as facing challenges from poor management of sanitation services.

    The report said those challenges arose from inadequate and deteriorating infrastructure resulting from under-investment.

    According to it, land-based activities causing pollution of freshwater bodies ultimately impact coastal and marine resources.

    On land and forest, it noted that Africa had the second largest continent in the world, but most prized asset for food production, nutritional health and economic development.

    “Worryingly, about 500 000 square meters of land in Africa is being degraded due to soil erosion, pollution and deforestation.

    “This land degradation can damage agricultural productivity, nutrition and human health.

    “A growing population and a rise in the demand for firewood will mean that forest cover in Africa is likely to continue shrinking, declining to less than 600 million hectares by 2050.

    “Over cultivation, inefficient irrigation practices, overgrazing, the over-exploitation of resources, uncontrolled mining activities and climate change will further degrade land in Africa,’’ the report said.

    It explained that this would lead to reduced agricultural productivity, reduced food security, which could increase migration and spread disease, destroy infrastructure such as roads and bridges, and high rates of poverty.

  • ITTF Egypt Junior Open: Nigeria seeded in Cairo

    Despite its absence at previous International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Junior Circuit (WJC) tagged Egypt Junior and Cadet Open, Nigeria has been seeded among the top five teams in the boys and girls team event of the one-week championship holding at the  October 6th Sports Hall in Cairo, Egypt.

    In the seeding list released by ITTF, Nigeria is seeded fifth in the junior boys’ team event while the Nigerian girls are seeded number two in the junior girls’ team event. In the cadet boys’ team event, Nigeria is rated fourth while the girls are seeded fifth.

    Fourteen events in junior, cadet and mini cadet will be contested for by over 138 players from Nigeria, Algeria, Botswana, India, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Romania, Slovakia, Togo, Tunisia and host – Egypt.

    In the junior event, Esther Oribasmise and Olasunkanmi Oginni will lead the Nigeria team, while 12 year-old Abayomi Animasahun will spearhead the team in the cadet division.

    Meanwhile, organisers of the championship hope to treat players to an exciting time.

    According to President, Egypt Table Tennis Federation (ETTF), Alaa Meshref, a lot of things have been lined up for teams.

    “The unique thing is that all African and Arab competitors of Egypt are coming this year. It will be an Afro-Arab festival for the youngsters in table tennis. This will provide these countries with a clear vision of where each one stands relative to their rivals. We will provide touristic half day and full day excursions through Sheraton Dreamland with GER special prices to any number of persons on any day,” he said.

    The ETTF boss said facilities provided for the championship is of international standard.

    “It is done in a new hall related to the Ministry of Sports. We managed to get high speed internet although the hall does not have landlines yet. We are getting it through an expensive technology (WiMAX). We are trying to secure live YouTube streaming,” he added.

    Despite the few days that the Egyptian team had to prepare for the competition, Alaa Meshref is hopeful that the team would do well. “A lot of our players have exams especially juniors in last year of school. However, we had an intensive training camp prior to the tournament in our new hall in Cairo Stadium. The camp was very successful. Goodluck to all teams and everyone is welcomed in Cairo,” said Meshref.