by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF Africa, Media Officer
Aside from her love for sports, the mother of two has been actively socially with attention for the less privileged.
“Having played basketball to the highest level where I represented Tunisia at international tournaments before quitting, table tennis for me is a passion. With my involvement in social activities, I realised that table tennis used to be very popular in Tunisia but lately the number of clubs have reduced. But after my involvement with the Arab Table Tennis Championship last year, I developed interest in the sport because of the quality of people administering table tennis in Tunisia. They are warm and understanding people who want the best for the sport and this was what attracted me to join them. Now that I am a board member of the Tunisia Table Tennis Federation, I intend to use my clout to popularise the sport in rural areas across the country,” Driss Hajer.
Alongside her active involvement in sports, Driss Hajer is a well-educated woman as a professor of Physical Education. But her passion for sports cannot be underestimated.
“I cannot live without sports despite my active involvement in civil society, I intend to champion the course of the sport by taking it to areas affected by poverty and terrorism. My choice for table tennis was based on the quality of people in the federation and being the closest sport to the young people,” Driss Hajer.
Outside of sport, Driss Hajer has wined and dined with the crème-de-la-crème in Tunisia including the number one citizen of the North African nation and she has become a face of sports, while her social service work has put smiles on the faces of the less privileged.
“My objective is to use my clout to help the sport and ensure that we encourage more young people to embrace table tennis in poor areas across the country. I hope and believe we can do it in Tunisia and restore the glory of table tennis for all,” Driss Hajer.
