by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor (Interviews: Olalekan Okusan)

The withdrawal follows doctor’s advice.

“I thought I would be able to compete but after consulting the doctor, the advice was to rest my back. It is not a serious injury but a back strain which has been caused by stress. I was cautioned to rest because playing in the preliminary will be tough as some of the top players, who could not make it directly to the main draw, will be aiming to qualify. I hadstarted using the drugs prescribed for me and I was told to rest more”, Quadri Aruna

However, Quadri Aruna will not be lost totally to proceedings in Doha; he intends to partner Egypt’s Omar Assar in the Men’s Doubles competition; the duo having their eyes set firmly on a place in the end of year Grand Finals.

“I hope I can manage to play in the doubles. I will partner Omar Assar in the Men’s Doubles. We are expected to play against top Swedish players in the preliminary round. It is painful but my health is very important to me as I still have a lot of competitions ahead of me”, Quadri Aruna

Quadri Aruna and Omar Assar face Kristian Karlsson and Mattias Karlsson, silver medallists at the 2012 European Championships, in the first preliminary round of the qualification event.

Problems for Quadri Aruna and also for Frenchman Simon Gauzy; he has a shoulder injury and will not travel to Doha.