by Ian Marshall, Editor (Interview by Olalekan Okusan ITTF-Africa Press Officer)
The class 3 winner, Ahmed Koleosho partnered colleague Nasiru Sule to success in class 1-5; the pair recording a 2-0 win at the final hurdle in opposition to Egypt’s Mohamed Sameh Eid Salah, the class 4 gold medallist and Hassan Tolba.
Further success for Ahmed Koleosho, it was the same for Ahmed Sayed Moahmed; he partnered Abousteir Abdelmoniem to victory in class 6-8, the player he had beaten in the class 7 final. In a group organised competition, in the vital contest a 2-1 win was posted against Nigeria’s Victor Faniloye and Temitope Ogunsanya; notably in the men’s singles events, Victor Farniloye had won class 8.
Meanwhile, in class 9-10 Tajudeen Agunbiade and Alabi Olufemi combined to secure gold, both having succeeded the previous day. Tajudeen Agunbiade had emerged successful in class 9, Alabi Olufemi had secured the class 10 title. Also, a group organised event, runners up spot finished in the hands of Algeria’s Karim Boumedouha and Madani Zerigui.
Play concluded in Alexandria, attention now turns to the Chinese city of Taichung; the 2019 Asian Para Championships commences on Tuesday 23rd August and concludes on Saturday 27th August.
2019 Para African Championships: Latest Results and Draws
Meanwhile, Moataz Ashour, President of the Egypt Table Tennis Federation was in a most positive mood at the close of proceedings; the success of the tournament being even more gratifying as it clashed with the major continental football event, the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations.
Not only did Egypt enjoy considerable success from a playing perspective, the national federation underlined its capacity to organise major international events.
“Egypt is a big country and is capable of hosting any forum, whether sports or political, as evidenced by the fact that we now host two continental championships and the African Paralympic Table Tennis Championship. Egypt has a sub-structure, hotels, clubs and stadiums to host these important sporting events.
The tournament was very advanced technically for both men and women. The technical level was high; many close matches that excited the audience. Also, as this tournament coincided with the biggest African football event; the tournament received good promotion; this encouraged the players to participate. It is largest number of players to participate in the tournament and this is evident in the number of categories in the men’s event without merging one category to another. Class 11 was played for the first time in Africa.
Many of the players showed up with a high level of skill and especially for players from Egypt and Nigeria, who showed their class in the tournament.” Moataz Ashour
