by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Present at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games staged in 2010 in Singapore and currently resident in Paris; having attended a three week training camp with the national team in Algiers, Islem Laid is seeking to match or better the achievement of two years ago.

At the 2015 ITTF Asian Cup staged in Yaoundé, Cameroon; she finished in third place.

She spoke to Olalekan Okusan, the ITTF-Africa Press Officer

I am eagerly looking forward to the tournament after having three-weeks training in Algiers with my teammates. I am in good shape for this tournament. I just hope I will be able to repeat the bronze medal feat amid the arrays of African stars coming for the tournament.

Everything is possible, so why can’t I compete for the title, even if there are many very good players better than me in Africa. It will be difficult to become the first Algerian to feature at ITTF World Cup but I still believe everything is possible.

The favourites for the title are Dina Meshref, Olufunke Oshonaike and Sarah Hanffou but I will my best against them and hope for the best. I also believe competing at the World Championships was a good preparation for me as I have not played any international competition in the last two years.