by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Additional to the Women’s Singles event, she joins forces with Lynda Loghraibi in the Women’s Doubles competition and is the Mixed Doubles partner of Nail Karali, both partners being compatriots.

Furthermore, it is a return to international action; she has not competed in a World ranking event since the African Olympic Qualification tournament staged in February 2016 in Khartoum.

She spoke to Olalekan Okusan, the ITTF Africa Press Officer

There is no word to describe how happy and proud I am to be back in the team. I feel very honoured to represent Algeria on the international scene again. Now, we have a new President who knows about table tennis and I know he will do his best to bring Algeria to the top. It is new start and I believe in the new federation team.

I was very sad over my exclusion from the team because it was not only about table tennis, it was about the love that I have for my country. Not representing Algeria gave me more motivation to practise harder to prove that I have my place in the team.

I’m honoured to wear the colours of my country and to represent Algerian people in table tennis.

My goal in Germany is to do my best to fight until the last point and to enjoy it to the maximum. Apart from this, I’m very excited as it has been a dream I had when I was a little girl. I could recall that I visited Bremen to watch a Championships and I was impressed, as well as running after champions like Jean Saive and Wang Liqin to get their autographs.

I never imagined myself that one day I will be playing in the same competition as these legends. I feel blessed.