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Tag: Khaled El-Salhy

  • 2019 African Junior and Cadet Championships: ‘Nigeria’s return will create stiff competition in Ghana’

    For two years that Nigeria was absent at the annual African Junior and Cadet Championship, the North Africans especially, Egypt held sway but with the return of the West African giant this year, the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) believes it would create stiff competition among the teams in Ghana.

    An elated ATTF President said he was excited that Nigeria is making a return as their quality most times threatens other teams in any continental tournament.

    “Nigeria is most welcome to join us again in the African Juniors to provide very stiff competition with the North African countries (Algeria – Egypt – Tunisia), and with all our powerful countries/players and we could also ensure the top standard for them to qualify and represent Africa at the World Junior Championships and World Cadet Challenge,” Khaled El-Salhy said.

    The ATTF boss admitted that the Ghana’s gathering would be setting a new record for the tournament.

    “It seems we are going to have historical event with the highest level of entries since 2001, with 180 players representing about 20 countries listed for the 2019 African Junior and Cadet Championships. I am so eager to ensure the safe arrival of all those confirmed 20 national associations in Accra next week and to follow-up that we have a competitive tournament for all the top players in event cadre,” the ATTF boss revealed.

    Khaled El-Salhy describes the staging of the tournament in Ghana as a unique opportunity for the West African former table tennis giant to reclaim its lost glory.

    “I am so happy to come back to Ghana for the forthcoming ITTF/ATTF events next week after 16 years when we conducted an African Juniors & Cadet Championships in 2003. Ghana is one of the traditional countries for table tennis in Africa; they had so many legends whom won gold medals at African events in 1960s,” he added.

    After two years absence from the tournament, the ATTF chief described the return of one of Africa’s superpowers in table tennis – Nigeria as a good development for the sport. “Nigeria is most welcome to join us again in the African Juniors to provide very stiff competition with the North African countries (Algeria – Egypt – Tunisia), and with all our powerful countries/players and we could also ensure the top standard for them to qualify and represent Africa at the World Junior Championships and World Cadet Challenge,” Khaled El-Salhy said.

    The ATTF helmsman promised support to African teams heading to global tournaments later this year. “We will try our best to support the qualifying teams to prepare well and to ensure their participation in WJTTC & WCC 2019. Also the selected African Cadet Team will be entitled to a special practice camp in the 1st half of October in Egypt before their participation in Poland for the 2019 WCC,” he added.

     

     

  • Quadri, Assar are good African ambassadors globally – ATTF

    Quadri, Assar are good African ambassadors globally – ATTF

     

    For doing the continent proud, just as they continue to raise the profile of Africa at global level, the President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy has described Aruna Quadri (NGR) and Omar Assar (EGY) as the region’s pride following their display at the just concluded 2017 ITTF World Cup in Liege, Belgium.

    For having two players representing the continent at the World Cup, the ATTF boss told NationSport: “Having two players from Africa means a lot as it declares the great efforts by our top African players to promote themselves through ITTF ranking to be among the top 40 players, and we will try to support them for the future to ensure the same level in order to keep the chance always for Africa to have more than one representative in World Cup.

    For the performance of the two ambassadors in Belgium, he said: “Both players did very well and it was clear that they had a perfect preparation for the event, both qualified to the main draw. Aruna Quadri was closed to claim the top of his group (one point less with Korea’s Lee Sangsu) and Omar Assar also played well but it seems in his first ever appearance with new look (lenses instead of his traditional glasses) that he needs more time to get used playing with it.”

    What Africa needs to take from this, he added: “The main lesson for our players in such event is to keep working hard to remain focus with such group of stars, and I’d like to ask the Associations of Nigeria and Egypt to give more attention to the two players especially in World Cup as we saw most of the participating top stars are coming with a team group to serve for the best possible result (coach + physio + doctor)

    The ATTF helmsman believes support must give support to young players in order to take a cue from Aruna and Assar.

    “National association must give the chance for all our younger talented players to participate worldwide in many ITTF sanctioned events including continental events, and to study after each event all weak points to resolve and promote.”

    An excited President said further, “I am so happy for the event especially it is a new record for Africa to have two horses in the race, and the organization is very well satisfying with all players and officials.”

  • IOC to confirm Oribamise, others for 2018 Youth Olympic Games

    IOC to confirm Oribamise, others for 2018 Youth Olympic Games

    Less than 24 hours after Nigeria’s Tosin Esther Oribamise and three others qualified for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will this week confirm the Nigerian star alongside others for the multi-sports tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

     

    According to ITTF Competition Manager, Mounir Bessah, the list of the African qualifiers would be forwarded to IOC today and the Olympic body is expected to confirm their qualifications from the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of the players.

     

    “I will send Oribamise and three others names to IOC tomorrow (today) and hoping that IOC will then need to confirm their qualification based on the results recorded at the qualifiers in Tunis from their various NOC. It is after this that they will be registered formally by the world body. But I will need to send it to IOC first which they will confirm to me before the end of this week,” Bessah said.

     

    Oribamise is the second Nigerian player to be featuring in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) after Ojo Onaolapo took part in the maiden edition of YOG in Singapore, where he made it to the quarterfinal stage of the boys’ singles and now the Ondo State-born star is now integral part of the senior national team.

     

    However, President of ITTF Africa, Khaled El-Salhy, said the four players were indeed the best from the continent considering the qualities they displayed at the qualifiers.

     

    “I am satisfied with the qualities of play from all the players that took part in the qualifiers and those that emerged were indeed the best from the qualifiers. I just need to appeal to national associations to ensure that these four players prepare very well for the games because I could recall at the maiden edition of the game in Singapore, Africa represented by Tunisia’s Adam Hmem partnered with a Chinese player to win bronze in the mixed doubles event and it will be good if Africa can also do well next year in Argentina,” El-Salhy said.

     

    He said there are possibilities that Africa applied for wildcards which he said can only be awarded to countries with less number of participants in the games. “We hope to apply for wildcards because at the 2014 edition in China, we had four wildcards for Togo, Congo Brazzaville and others making African having eight players competing. But we hope we can apply again but this will only be given to countries with less number of participants in the games and not to top countries,” the ITTF Africa boss added.

  • IOC to confirm Oribamise, others for 2018 Youth Olympic Games

    IOC to confirm Oribamise, others for 2018 Youth Olympic Games

    Less than 24 hours after Nigeria’s Tosin Esther Oribamise and three others qualified for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will this week confirmed the Nigerian star alongside others for the multi-sports tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

    According to ITTF Competition Manager, Mounir Bessah, the list of the African qualifiers would be forwarded to IOC today and the Olympic body is expected to confirm their qualifications from the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of the players.

    “I will send Oribamise and three others names to IOC Wednesday and hoping that IOC will then need to confirm their qualification based on the results recorded at the qualifiers in Tunis from their various NOC. It is after this that they will be registered formally by the world body. But I will need to send it to IOC first which they will confirm to me before the end of this week,” Bessah said.

    Oribamise is the second Nigerian player to be featuring in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) after Ojo Onaolapo took part in the maiden edition of YOG in Singapore, where he made it to the quarterfinal stage of the boys’ singles and now the Ondo State-born star is now integral part of the senior national team.

    However, President of ITTF Africa, Khaled El-Salhy, said the four players were indeed the best from the continent considering the qualities they displayed at the qualifiers.

    “I am satisfied with the qualities of play from all the players that took part in the qualifiers and those that emerged were indeed the best from the qualifiers. I just need to appeal to national associations to ensure that these four players prepare very well for the games because I could recall at the maiden edition of the game in Singapore, Africa represented by Tunisia’s Adam Hmem partnered with a Chinese player to win bronze in the mixed doubles event and it will be good if Africa can also do well next year in Argentina,” El-Salhy said.

    He however, said there are possibilities that Africa applied for wildcards which he said can only be awarded to countries with less number of participants in the games. “We hope to apply for wildcards because at the 2014 edition in China, we had four wildcards for Togo, Congo Brazzaville and others making African having eight players competing. But we hope we can apply again but this will only be given to countries with less number of participants in the games and not to top countries,” the ITTF Africa boss added.

  • ITTF Africa celebrates Quadri’s Rio Olympic feat 

    ITTF Africa celebrates Quadri’s Rio Olympic feat 

    For becoming the first player in Africa to make it to the quarterfinal stage of the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, the executive council of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa has acknowledged the feat of the Nigerian with an award of outstanding performance.

    The presentation of the award was performed by the ITTF Africa President, Khaled El-Salhy including Vice President of ITTF, Cherif Hajem.

    The ITTF boss said it was coincident that two Nigerians – Segun Toriola and Aruna Quadri put Africa on the world map in Rio and for this, the Executive Committee agreed at their meeting that the two players must be acknowledged and honour in order to motivate upcoming players to aim high like them.

    “We were overwhelmed with the huge publicity that Africa got in the table tennis event of Rio Olympic Games because of the performance of Aruna Quadri because, in the history of table tennis, no African has made it to the last eight of the Olympic Games.

    “Players like Aruna Quadri are very rare and I know his performance was due to his commitment and hard work which were obvious in his performance. This honour is not just to celebrate him but to also inspire other players to work hard because without hard work and discipline it will be impossible for any player to make it to the world stage,” he said.

    “From his performance at the 2014 World Cup in Germany where he became the first African to make it to the quarterfinal round of the competition to being named the 2014 ITTF Star Player at the Star Award, Aruna Quadri has raised the bar for others to aim at and with his performance of record, more people in the continent are now paying attention to the sport and we hope he will continue to move up and other African players will surely come through,” El-Salhy added.

  • ITTF Africa honours Toriola

    ITTF Africa honours Toriola

    • Tasks players to emulate Nigerian star

    For his exemplary lifestyle on and off the table the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa has joined the league of those impressed with the feat achieved by Nigeria’s Segun Toriola at the Olympic Games as the first athlete to attend seven Olympics from the continent.

    At the colourful ceremony held during the ongoing ITTF Africa Senior Championships, Toriola who is the most decorated table tennis player in Africa was given a plaque by the President of ITTF Africa, Khaled El-Salhy assisted by a member of ITTF Africa Executive Board and the President of Morocco Table Tennis Federation, Monqid Hajji.

    According to ITTF Africa boss, it was the decision of the Executive Council of ITTF Africa to honour Toriola for putting the continent on the world map as the first athlete in any sports in Africa to feature in seven Olympic Games.

    “It was the decision of the Executive Council EC to give such award to Segun Toriola, who is a legend of Table Tennis not only in Africa but also in the World following his great achievement of being the first African to make seven appearances at the Olympic Games from 1992 to 2016. WE also we believe that he has the chance to break his own record by making it to Tokyo 2020, which the quality he still possesses,” El-Salhy said.

    For upcoming players, the ITTF Africa helmsman believes Toriola would serve as a role model for young players in Africa with his 100 per cent commitment to the sport on and off the table.

    “Toriola commitment to table tennis is 100 per cent and this is why he will remain an inspiration to young players in Africa. He is also an ambassador of Table Tennis when it comes to fair play. His excellent performance at every competition coupled with his humility are traits that singled him out among other players in Africa ,” El-Salhy added.

  • ITTF Championships: ATTF predicts Nigeria, Egypt rivalry in Morocco

    ITTF Championships: ATTF predicts Nigeria, Egypt rivalry in Morocco

    The President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy has predicted renewed rivalry between the continent powerhouses- Nigeria and Egypt at the forthcoming ITTF African Senior Championship holding in Agadir, Morocco.From October 24 to 30, countries across Africa will converge in Agadir, which is a major city in Morocco, located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean near the foot of the Atlas Mountains for the seven-day championship.

    From October 24 to 30, countries across Africa will converge in Agadir, which is a major city in Morocco, located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean near the foot of the Atlas Mountains for the seven-day championship.

    According to the President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy, the tournament serves as qualification for the 2017 World Team Cup with Enbeath Complex hosting the championship with eight events in singles, teams and doubles to be battled for.

    As usual, the tournament is expected to re-ignite the rivalry between the continent powerhouses – Nigeria and Egypt while Congo Brazzaville is also another title contender.

    The ATTF helmsman added: “It will be a tough competition between the top countries, especially Egypt and Nigeria. Egypt is aiming to retain the titles for both team events while Nigeria is looking to use the performance of Aruna Quadri in previous tournaments at world levels to secure the sole slot for the 2017 World Team Cup.”

    “There is no doubt that the traditional forces are going to dazzle and I am expecting the promoted countries to prove themselves (i.e. Ghana whom made a big surprise a the 2015 African Games in Congo Brazzaville by getting a bronze medal), and I see also that Congo Brazzaville, Algeria and Tunisia will be teams to watch out in terms of making it to the podium in Morocco,” El-Salhy added.

    With over 15 countries expected at the championship which will also host the Annual General Congress of the continental body and the ATTF boss reaffirmed the readiness of the host nation for the table tennis fiesta.

    “All preparation and arrangement for the competition seems to be working well with the main hotel already secured as well as the venue and I hope it will be a successful event,” he said.

  • Quadri is Africa’s pride at Rio – ATTF

    Quadri is Africa’s pride at Rio – ATTF

    The continent is still celebrating the feat achieved by Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri at the ongoing Rio 2016 Olympic Games, President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy believes the 2014 ITTF Star Player is a pride to Africa in Brazil.

    He added that the heroic performance of Aruna Quadri is a confirmation of Africa’s relevance in global table tennis.

    “I must admit that all the African players did their best in the singles, while the extra ordinary outcome was through Aruna Quadri for his superb performance against the top ITTF ranked players like Chinese Taipei’s CHUANG Chih-Yuan and Germany’s Timo BOLL. In my opinion the achievement of Aruna Quadri in Rio will be of great impact to Africa and all players as well as help to break all barriers, raising the ceiling of ambitious player at all World and Olympic title events regardless of their opponents,” the ATTF boss said.

    He added: “Simply, Aruna Quadri is perfect, full of energy and trust his skills with good preparation. He also put his mind in the game to fly the flag of Nigeria and Africa in such Olympic Games.”

    On what young players can emulate from Quadri, he said: “They have to follow the foot step of Aruna Quadri in terms of preparation, dedication in training and with this nothing is impossible.”

  • Africa unites over Quadri’s feat at Olympics

    Africa unites over Quadri’s feat at Olympics

    The heroic feat of Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri at the ongoing Rio 2016 Olympic Games has united African teams in Brazil as the success of the table tennis star continues to dominate global media.

    Quadri was in superb form when he edged out former world number one and tournament’s number 10 seed, Germany’s Timo Boll 4-2 in the fourth rou8nd match played late on Monday.

    From Egypt, Mauritius, Algeria, Djibouti, South Africa, Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria, Quadri’s feat as the first African to qualify for the quarterfinal round of the table tennis event at the Olympic Games has become the talk of the town across the continent.

    From the President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy to the Vice President of the South Africa Olympic Committee (SAOC), Hajera Kajee as well as the former President of Djibouti Table Tennis Association and Executive member of ATTF, Farah Hassan Farah, Quadri has now put the continent on the global map with all eyes on Africa now at ITTF.

    Excited ATTF boss said: “I am so happy with Quadri Aruna of Nigeria flies high in the prospect of Rio Olympic Games by qualifying to the quarter-final of the Men’s Single as the first precedent for African Table Tennis players in Olympics. Congratulation to Africa, ATTF, NTTF and all Table Tennis fans in our continent and I am still hungry for much more tomorrow Inshallah.”

    “It is indeed a great moment for Nigeria and our Continent Africa. Viva Africa,” said Kajee.

    Well done!! Kudos to Aruna Quadri and his team, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and of course the continent should celebrate this outstanding performance,” said Farah.

    For the Vice President of ATTF, Olabanji Oladapo, the feat achieved by the Nigerian is a plus to Africa. I join millions of African all over the world in congratulating Aruna Quadri, Nigeria and President of African Table Tennis Federation. I believe we are gradually moving closer to our goal of breaking into the medal table in any ITTF competition. It will be sooner than later. African will be on the podium. Best of luck to all the African players at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.”

    Even some of the upcoming players in Africa were not left out of the celebration as Africa’s U-21 champion; Shady Magdy praised the achievement of Quadri, whom he said has opened doors for African players at global level.

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  • Tennis: Nigeria beats Egypt to Africa’s sole slot of Rio Olympics

    Tennis: Nigeria beats Egypt to Africa’s sole slot of Rio Olympics

    With the recent ranking released by the world table tennis ruling body, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) on Thursday, Team Nigeria have secured the continental sole slot of the men’s team event of Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

    For this, Nigeria will be part of the 16 countries that will compete for medals in the team event of the Olympic Games as the highest rated team from Africa.

    This development was confirmed based on the May ranking released by the world table tennis ruling body, the ITTF on Thursday with Nigeria’s men being the highest rated team from Africa to beat Egypt to the sole slot.

    According to qualification format, the May 2016 Olympic Team Ranking list is taken into consideration for the team selections at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

    And from the rating released in May 2016, Nigeria may have dropped to 27 in the world based on the inactiveness of its players, but the team was ahead of Egypt who was ranked 32.

    Despite dropping from 26 to 27 with 202 points, the West African giant beat Egypt, which has 192 to the sole slot for the continent.

    With this, Nigeria will represent Africa in the men’s team event of the Rio Olympic Games and will compete for medals with 15 other teams from the globe.

    However, Egypt beat Nigeria to the sole slot in the women’s team event as the best rated team from the continent occupying 31st place in the world with Nigeria rated 39th.

    For the second time, Egypt has edged out Nigeria from the women team event of the Olympics after their maiden appearance in the team event of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

    Meanwhile, the President of Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy confirmed this development, but said that ITTF would officially announce the list of qualified teams in few days.

    ITTF has not announced the list of qualified teams yet but I believe that it should be done within the coming 48 hours, but according to the rules for Olympic Games – Team events, each continent is entitled for at least one entry for team event. For Africa Men’s Team : it will be Nigeria as per position (27) compared with the other African teams, Egypt (32) & Congo Brazzaville (35), while for the Women’s Team: it will be Egypt as per position (31) compared with the other Africa teams, Nigeria (39) & Algeria (66).”

    He added: “This is my expectation, and I wish on behalf of ATTF the best of luck for both teams of Nigeria & Egypt to be the perfect ambassadors for our continent in Rio Olympic Games and to qualify for the top eight teams (quarter-finalists).