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2020 ITTF-Africa Top 16 Cup

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2020 ITTF-Africa Top 16 Cup

Aiming to retain title but for Omar Assar competition ever more intense

12 Feb 2020

The leading name in Africa, for the men in recent years there has been a very clear choice, either Egypt’s Omar Assar or Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna; however, last year in late August that situation was questioned.

At the African Games in Rabat, after overcoming Omar Assar at the semi-final stage of the men’s singles event, Quadri Aruna was beaten in the final by colleague, Olajide Omotayo; all three appear on the entry list for the forthcoming 2020 ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup which starts in Tunisia on Monday 24th February.

Omar Assar well aware a tough challenge awaits in Lisbon (Photo: Rémy Gros)

by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer

A highly competitive tournament, a fact of which Omar Assar, who emerged victorious at the 2018 ITTF Africa Top 16 tournament and won last year in Lagos at the 2019 ITTF-Africa Cup, in well aware.

“The ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup is a special event because it has only the current top players in Africa and they compete together to qualify for the ITTF World Cup! It is a tough challenge for me because all the players are in a good form.

I agree that there is a clear improvement in the level of the African players however I believe more can be done by managing the players in the professional way.

I am practising in preparation for the tournament as I need to be in a good form mentally and physically because the matches will be tough from the start.

The tournament has always seen surprises, players unexpectedly reaching the semi-finals by performing very well. Ibrahima Diaw of Senegal is very good.

Tunisia has a long history of table tennis that makes playing there always very special beside that I love the City of Tunis as I have won several titles in my career there at junior level. I am looking forward for the Tunisian fans.” Omar Assar

 

2020 ITTF-Africa Top 16 Cup Omar Assar

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Photo Gallery

Day 3 - 2020 ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup