by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer

The deal, which can be renewed after its expiration in 2020, provides US$ 25,000 annually to attend major competitions as part of his preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Quarter-finalist in the Men’s Singles event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Quadri Aruna becomes first sports ambassador of Premier Lotto.

Notably, the biggest deal to be signed by any table tennis player in Africa and the first sports ambassador to be contracted by the firm, the agreement gives Premier Lotto the right to use Quadri Aruna’s name, likeness, voice, signature and biographical details as well photographs and other materials in promotional, sponsorship, advertising or marketing material.

Also Quadri Aruna is expected to attend and participate in Premier Lotto’s promotional activities each year. The deal was signed officially at the Liebherr 2017 Men’s World Cup in Liège on Sunday 22nd October and is back dated to Sunday 1st October 2017,

“I am so happy with this development and this is indeed a dream come true for me because I have been looking for an opportunity like this particularly from my home country. It is indeed a morale booster for me to continue to work hard. I am hoping that Premier Lotto’s support will help me attend more competitions and play with the best in the world in my bid to continue to do Nigeria proud in major competitions. All these efforts will dovetail into the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan, where I hope to do better than what I achieved in Rio 2016.” Quadri Aruna

Pertinently the deal was brokered by Wahid Enitan Oshodi, the Chair of Weo Allsports, the management company which assists Quadri Aruna, in liaison with Chief Kessington Adebutu, the Chair of Premier Lotto.

Pictures caption: Chairman, WEO ALLSPORTS, Wahid Enitan Oshodi (left) with Aruna Quadri after signing of the contract in Liege, Belgium on Sunday October 22, 2017