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Tag: quadri

  • ITTF World Tour: Quadri begins campaign in men’s singles

    ITTF World Tour: Quadri begins campaign in men’s singles

    Aruna Quadri will today in Warsaw begins his campaign in the men’s singles event of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour tagged Polish Open.

    The 2014 ITTF Star Player who recently led Sporting Lisbon to clinch the Portuguese Super Cup has been seeded number 25 among the 32 top players seeded for the men’s singles event.

    Aware of the task ahead of him in the main draw, Quadri believes anything is possible as he may likely battle World number two in the second round of the competition.

    In the doubles, Quadri partnered his continental rival, Omar Assar of Egypt and they began their campaign from the preliminary yesterday against their Indian countparts.

    Meanwhile, in Warsaw, China’s Ma Long, fresh from his success at the recent Liebherr 2015 Men’s World Cup, is the top seed; he is followed by his colleagues Xu Xin, Fan Zhendong and Zhang Jike.

    Japan’s Jun Mizutani is the next in line, ahead of Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov; Portugal’s Marcos Freitas and Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan complete the top eight names.

    However, of that illustrious group, only Chuang Chih-Yuan has completed the mandatory requirement of competing in five Tour tournaments in the year to qualify for the Finals.

    Poland will be his sixth appearance. Currently Chuang Chih-Yuan is named at no.11 (450 points) and can reasonably expect to be one of the 16 names that compete in the Men’s Singles event in Lisbon.

    Ma Long, Jun Mizutani and Dimitrij Ovtcharov will be their fifth excursion of the year; thus they will have met the necessary basic criteria.

    Likewise, the forthcoming GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Polish Open will be the fifth appearance of the year for Marcos Frietas; he is at no.11 (450 points) alongside Chuang Chih-Yuan but he has a parachute.

     

  • ITTF Africa Senior Cup: Quadri, Makanjuola, others chase World Cup slots

    ITTF Africa Senior Cup: Quadri, Makanjuola, others chase World Cup slots

     

    2014 ITTF Star Player, Aruna Quadri and Kazeem Makanjuola as well as Africa’s highest ranked player, Egypt’s Omar Assar and others will today in Yaoundé, Cameroon at the 2015 ITTF Africa Senior Cup fight for a place in the World Cups.

    In the men’s category, Quadri and Makanjuola, who are Nigeria’s flagbearers in the competition, will contend with Assar and his compatriots from Egypt – El-Sayed Lashin and Mohammed El-Beiali as well as the duo of Saka Suraju and Saheed Idowu of Congo Brazzaville including players from Togo, Cameroon and Algeria.

    For the women’s division, Nigeria’s pair of Funke Oshonaike and Edem Offiong including the defending champion, Han Xing of Congo Brazzaville and Egypt’s duo of Dina Meshref and Nadeen El-Dawlatly will battle for supremacy.

    According to the President, Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy, “For sure all eyes will be on the Men’s Singles with the favourites being Omar Assar and Quadri Aruna when World ranking is taken into consideration. Also the defending champion, El-Sayed Lashin will also be aiming for the title but this again will surely be a tight contest between Nigeria and Egypt in the Men’s event.”

    “I believe that the feat achieved by Quadri Aruna at the 2014 Men’s World Cup in Germany has increased the interest of all players in the tournament.

    “This year’s competition will give players another opportunity to be part of the qualification for the World Cup and I believe they all want to emulate Quadri Aruna by achieving a similar feat.”

    “In the women’s contest, it will be a fight between Egypt’s Dina Meshref and Congo Brazzaville’s Han Xing; they are the best ranked players from Africa in the latest World ranking,” added Khalid El-Salhy, who advised that 12 countries have confirmed their entries for the tournament, an event which promises to raise the standard of organisation and presentation.

    “I can see that the Cameroon Table Tennis Federation is well prepared; they have received sponsored equipment to be used in such event,” said Khalid El-Salhy referring to agreements reached between the African Table Tennis Federation and the International Table Tennis Federation.

    “With what I have seen and heard, I am satisfied with their preparations, while I am hoping that the tournament will gain widespread media coverage,” noted Khalid El-Salhy.

    “As usual the equipment sponsors, Butterfly, Tinsue flooring and Double Happiness as a result of contracts with TMS International will provide top level equipment; also TMS International is supporting the prize money.”   “I believe that for the first time this year, we could have more than one representative from Africa to play in the World Cup. This is due to the high ranking for our top players,” he concluded.

  • Quadri seeded in singles, doubles at ITTF World Tour

    Quadri seeded in singles, doubles at ITTF World Tour

    Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri will return to action tomorrow at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour tagged Croatia Open after the 2014 ITTF Star Player has seeded in the men’s singles and doubles events of the five-day tournament.

    The $35,000 prize money championship which holds at the Sports Hall in Zagreb has been a good hunting ground for Quadri as it was there he started his resurgence in 2014 when he moved from 234 in the world to 30th.

    In the list of 32 players seeded in the men’s singles, Quadri is listed in number five as the only non-European and Asian player listed among the seeding. In the doubles event where he will partner Portugal’s Andre Silva, the duo has been seeded number seven and they will be starting their campaign from round of 16.

    Meanwhile, surprise winner earlier in the year in Spain, Japan’s Maharu Yoshimura appears on the entry list for the Croatia Open which started Tuesday.

    Currently listed at number nine on the ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles Standings (213 points), he is the one player amongst the elite names on duty in Zagreb who has really caught the eye in recent months.

    In addition to his success in Almeria, he reached the final of the Mixed Doubles event at the recently concluded Qoros 2015 World Championships in partnership with Kasumi Ishikawa. In the Croatian capital city, he is the number six seed in the Men’s Singles event.

    According to ITTF Publication Director, Ian Marshall, Maharu Yoshimura is very much in the limelight just as was the situation for Nigeria’s Quadri, towards the end of last year; his epic performance at the Liebherr 2014 Men’s World Cup being a major contributory factor to his Player of the Year Award, presented at the Dubai Star Awards Evening earlier this year.

    He did not make the best start to the year being beaten at the quarterfinal stage of the Men’s Singles event at the ITTF-African Senior Championships in January by Egypt’s Mohamed El-Beiali.

    However, more recently he has shown a return to the form of last November; he was the runner’s up in the Men’s Singles event at the 2015 ITTF World Tour Lagos (Nigeria) Open. He was beaten in the final by Omar Assar, like Mohamed El-Beaili from Egypt.

  • I need a good coach, Quadri cries out

    I need a good coach, Quadri cries out

    To avert his continued poor run in the 2015  International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour, ITTF Star Player, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri has said that he requires a good coach to compete favourably with his counterparts in the world.

    Within 10 days Quadri suffered successive loss in the first round of the Kuwait and Qatar Opens to begin his campaigns for a place in the end-of-year World Tour Finals.

    A dejected Quadri told SportingLife yesterday from Qatar that he would require the service of a good coach as most of his opponents play with their coaches as he had to act as coach as well as player in most of his matches.

    “It is really painful that I am losing some easy matches because most of my opponents are not better than I but the edge they have over me is that they are most times supported by their coaches. This alone has given them a psychological edge over me even before the match. It was not that I played badly but there was nobody to assist me in watching my game in order to know my weaknesses as well as my opponent’s shortcomings. I think having a coach sitting behind you in any competition matters and this has really affected me at the Kuwait and Qatar Opens,” Quadri said.

    At the 2014 ITTF World Cup in Dusseldorf, Germany, Quadri was assisted by former German national coach, Martin Adomeit, who was instrumental to his excellent performance at the tournament.

    “I still have more competitions to attend this year and for me getting this coach is very important and I am appealing to those in charge of Nigerian sports – National Sports Commission (NSC) to assist me because I need this to maintain my status as well as build up to the next All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville,” he added.

    At the just concluded Qatar Open, Quadri was shown the exit in the first round by Slovenia’s Bojan Tokic and the Oyo State-born athlete will return to action in Lagos next month for the ITTF World Tour.

  • Quadri seeded for Qatar Open

    Quadri seeded for Qatar Open

    Having put the disappointment of the Kuwait Open behind him, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri will return to the table this week at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour tagged ‘Qatar Open’ as the ITTF Star Player has been seeded among the top 16 players of the tournament.

    With Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov seeded number one by the organisers, Quadri, the only African player in the competition, is seeded number 13 and he is expected to kick-start his campaign from the main draw of the men’s singles event.

    Strangely, Egyptian players are conspicuously missing despite an exceptional performance by Omar Assar at the just concluded Kuwait Open.

    Quadri told SportingLife that the stress he went through before the Kuwait Open may have contributed to his lackluster performance in Kuwait.

    “I had a terrible time travelling to Kuwait for the tournament because when I got to Germany, all the airlines were on strike and I could not get a direct link to Kuwait. So, I had to buy another ticket to be able to make it on time to Kuwait. Before I got the ticket, it was getting late. But on getting to Kuwait, my luggage was missing, so I had to wait at the airport to get it because all my equipment was in the bag. It was late before I could get the luggage and I had to start looking for a hotel to sleep that night. So, for me, all this contributed immensely to my inability to move well on table,” he explained.

    Nevertheless, he said he is fully in shape for the Qatar Open, which serves off tomorrow at the Qatar Women Sports Committee Hall in Aspire Zone, Doha.

    As the second super series in the ITTF World Tour, $220,000, the Qatar Open will further afford Quadri the opportunity to redeem himself after his unimpressive performance in 2015.

    Meanwhile, defending champions of Lagos ITTF World Tour, Egypt’s duo of Omar Assar and Nadeen El-Dawatly have expressed their willingness to retain the titles next month.

    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 be willing to return to Lagos to hold on to the title.

    From 2013, when the tournament was staged, Assar has clinched the title by beating Nigeria’s Segun Toriola in 2013 and also beating compatriot, El-Sayed Lashin in 2014 and the world number 43 is hoping to tantalise the Lagos fans with his entertaining style of play.

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

  • ITTF Ranking: Quadri slides to 32

    ITTF Ranking: Quadri slides to 32

    • As Egypt’s Assar moves to 43

    The quarterfinal defeat suffered in the men’s singles event by Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior Championship held in Cairo, Egypt has adversely affected the fortune of the ITTF Star Player at the February world rating released by the world table tennis ruling body at the weekend.

    For being beaten by Egypt’s Mohamed El-Beiali, Quadri dropped from 30 in the world to 32 in the latest ranking while his conqueror improved in his rating as the Egyptian moved from 195 to 179 in the world.

    For winning the ITTF Africa Senior Championship, Egypt’s Omar Assar whose last world rating was 66 is now rated 43.

    Despite sliding the world rating, a confidence Quadri amassed 19 points to add more points to his overall points. In January, he has 2,246 points and with his recent slump, he now has 2,265 points.

    “I believe the loss in Cairo may have contributed to my drop and I hope to improve with it this month as I will be competing in series of Pro Tours starting with the Qatar Open this week,” he said.

    Meanwhile, China’s Xu Xin, who made the Men’s World Ranking list in March 2014, maintains his status as the world’s best player in the globe.

    China’s Xin is listed at number one on the Men’s World Rankings issued by ITTF. Top spot for Xin but the top attraction is Robert Gardos.

    The man, who led Austria to a silver medal finish at the World Team Cup in Dubai in January, climbs from 27 to 20 to enjoy his highest ever global status, while his previous best was number 24 in November 2014.

  • ITTF championship: Nigeria in good start, defeats Djibouti

    ITTF championship: Nigeria in good start, defeats Djibouti

    Team Nigeria began its campaign at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior Championship in Cairo on a bright note with wins over Djibouti and South Africa.

    The men’s team anchored by ITTF star player, Aruna Quadri did not drop any match, as the trio of Quadri, Ojo Onaolapo and Jide Ogidiolu whitewashed the Djibouti boys 3-0 to send warning signals to other teams in the group.

    Also, hosts – Egypt bashed South Africa male team 3-0, while Congo Brazzaville and Algeria also had a good start in the tournament.

    Prior to the start of proceedings, a one minute’s silence was observed in honour of Saudi’s King Abdullah who died on Friday.

    Saudi Arabia and  Egypt enjoy close relations, and as a  mark of respect, no music will be played during the day or at the opening ceremony in the evening.

    A time for thought over, play commenced with the host nation very much setting the standard.

    Top four were untroubled as Egypt (Mohamed El-Beiali, Omar Assar, Khalid Assar) overcame South Africa (Keegan Lingeveldt, Chetan Nathoo, Tevia Sapire), whilst Nigeria (Ojo Onaolapo, Jide Ogidiolu, Quadri Aruna) defeated Djibouti (Adnan Moussa, Houmed Saido Mohamed, Ibrahim Said).

    Similarly, Congo Brazzaville (Suraju Saka, Saheed Idowu, Abiodun Lawal) accounted for Angola (Edvane Neto, Elizandro André, Mayone Neto) and Algeria (Larbi Bouriah, Mohamed Sofiène Boudjadja, Aissa Belkadi) overcame Benin (Monday Olabiyi, Olouwachehoun Guiganfode, Ferdinand Sounou).

    Morocco (Mohamed Bouzoubaa, Abdellah Reda, Aymane Basseri) and Cameroon (Derek Nyoh Ofon, Hermann Matam, Dimitri Nguepi) both received walk-overs in their initial fixtures.
    Likewise, Sudan (Osama Mohed, Mohamed Ahmed, Farah Abdelrahman) and Togo (Mawussi Agbetoglo, Fessou Lawson-Gaizer, Kokoi Dodji Fanny) were not required to raise their rackets in anger.
     

  • Joola offers Quadri improved contract

    Joola offers Quadri improved contract

    • U.S. firm names Nigerian as brand ambassador

    Germany-based kits manufacturing firm, Joola has offered Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri an improved contract that will see the player getting monetary rewards annually as well as equipment in the next four years.

    Also, United States-based Sengled Optoelectronics Company has named the African champion as its global ambassador.

    Joola has been supporting Quadri since 2009 after his debut at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Cup in Moscow, Russia, and this new contract is an improvement from the previous agreement between the player and the company.

    Also in the new contract, Quadri will be entitled to bonuses based on his improvement in the game globally.

    An elated Quadri told SportingLife that despite the support he has been getting from foreign firms, he is still expecting Nigerian companies to identify with their own.

    “It is with happiness to announce that Sengled is one of my sponsors for the 2015 tournaments calendar and I promise to be a great ambassador of this great company from America, despite having no sponsor or  support yet from my home country. But I am looking forward to telecoms and top companies in Nigeria to identify with my success globally,” he said.

    Sengled Optoelectronics Company Limited is a global innovator that brings bright new ideas to the lighting industry. Based in Shanghai, with operations in Europe and North America, Sengled integrates consumer electronics with energy-saving LED lighting, creating products to reduce clutter and expand smart home capabilities to every room. Sengled is the global leader in intelligent illumination, producing a full range of app-controlled, intuitive, eco-friendly products.

  • ITTF Awards: Quadri vows to work harder

    ITTF Awards: Quadri vows to work harder

    • Thanks fans

    Larry Ettah, Group Managing Director/CEO, UAC of Nigeria Plc has been re-elected as the Chairman of O’Trafford Squash Club, Ikoyi.

    Ettah was returned unopposed to the office he has held for the last 12 months at the second Annual General Meeting of the club. Also re-elected at the AGM were Hakeem Oyeneyin, Vice Chairman and Cyril Ayemere, Secretary. The new officers joining the governing board include Remi Adeseun, Treasurer; Tunji Olaniyi, Social Secretary; Taye Ige, Director of Publicity and Biyi Mabadeje, Captain. All the officers were elected unopposed.

    Ettah, in his address, thanked the out-gone governing board for its pioneering role which put the club on a sound footing for its activities. He praised the former captain, Sope Robert for giving the club character and for inaugurating the ladder and ensuring effective administration of the ladder which is meant for ranking players. He also commended the former treasurer, Joseph Ijie for keeping the books of the club in such a transparent manner.

    He expressed appreciation to all the members of the club for the opportunity given him to serve again and promised not to disappoint them.

    “Giving me the opportunity to serve for the second time is an expression of the confidence you have in my ability. I will give my best not to fail you,” Ettah said.

    He attributed his modest achievements during his first term in office to the unalloyed support of the governing board members who worked tirelessly in maintaining the ideals of the club and making it a force to be reckoned with in the country’s squash fraternity.

    He committed himself to leading his team in improving on the achievements of the past one year and urged other members of the governing board not to rest on their oars in order to bequeath a worthy legacy to the succeeding generation.

    While swearing-in the new governing board members,  Akinwunmi Akintola maintained that Ettah’s re-election as the Chairman was in appreciation of the quality of leadership he gave during his first tenure. He congratulated members of the club for making it one of the foremost clubs in Nigeria.

    The first set of the governing board was elected for a renewable term of one year, while the new governing board was elected for a renewable term of two years.

    The AGM ended with socials attended by invited clubs from Lagos including Apapa Club, Ikoyi Club, Unilag Staff Club and Lagos Country Club.

    O’Trafford Squash Club is a melting pot of high-flying professionals where members engage in rigorous matches at weekends. Its members have won laurels during invitational tournaments across Nigeria. Major competitions on its calendar well attended by squash players include LEE Squash Championship and Satek Squash Series among others.

  • Ajimobi congratulates Quadri

    Ajimobi congratulates Quadri

    The Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has praised Aruna Quadri for winning the Male Table Tennis Star of the Year award and the Star Point of the year at the International Table Tennis Federation Star Awards, held in Dubai.

    The governor said that the people of the state were happy to identify with a star from the state, adding that the state government would always assist youth development and support its talent.

    Quadri who is from Oyo town in Oyo State edged out three other nominees, China’s Fan Zhendong, his compatriot Xi Xin and Portugal’s Marcos Freitas to win the Male Table Tennis Star of the Year award.

    ITTF said that the African champion was nominated for the award because of his rise in the ITTF rankings during the year to become the highest-ever ranked African player in history.

    Ajimobi said: “The state is proud of Quadri’s achievement and we shall continue to offer our support to every youth in the state. Nigeria is lucky to have a young talent rising fast ahead of the 2016 Olympics. It is an indication that our participation in such a high profile global competition will be a success. People like Waheed Ekun, who is now the Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Youths and Sports, have done the nation proud in table tennis. We are happy that Quadri is stepping into the big shoes. Oyo State is known for sporting excellence and this administration will continue to support sports in every positive way.”