Table Tennis
Omar Assar inches closer to Aruna’s feat at Singapore Smash 2024
Egypt’s Omar Assar is now just one win away from equalling Quadri Aruna’s quarterfinal feat at last year’s Singapore Smash after the African Games champion braved the odd to hit the round of 16 of the Singapore Smash 2024.
In the first round, Assar had taken down local favourite – Quek Izaac, who defied the odds to reach the round of 16 last time out in the Lion City, but against the Egyptian he suffered an opening round defeat on Monday, March 11, losing out 3-1 (3-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-4) to Assar.
Assar, who has never gone beyond round of 64 at the $1.5m prize money tournament, booked his ticket to the third round with a 3-2 (11-5, 11-8, 13-15, 9-11, 11-5) win over Lee Sang Su on Wednesday, March 13.
Twice he had exited Singapore Smash at the round of 64 hurdle in 2022 and 2023, Assar carried the hopes and dreams of a continent on his shoulders as the last African player left standing at the 2024 event.
Trailing the head-to-head record 2:5, Assar had not enjoyed the best time in recent match-ups in the rivalry, with his last victory over Lee coming in 2014. In their most recent encounter at WTT Champions Xinxiang 2023, Assar saw a two-game lead slip through his fingers, losing out over five games.
The two players would go the distance again, but this time Assar would have the last laugh, showing nerves of steel to hold off a late comeback charge against the Korean.
Falling on his back before turning to kiss the floor in celebration.
“Well, it was a match to remember, for sure. I mean, Lee Sang Su is an amazing player, one of the very rare players who has won against the top three Chinese in the world. He had already had an incredible tournament so far, beating Lin Gaoyuan, so I had all this in my mind. I expected that he would perform very well, which he did, and I was ready from the first point. This is what I’m very happy about. Usually I take a little bit of time, first set and then I start to build up. But tonight I was on fire from the beginning. Positive, good energy, good tactic and also accepting mistakes. So, this is what I’m very happy about today,” an excited Assar told WTT after the all-important win.
Awaiting Assar in the round of 16 is qualifying hero Sharath Kamal Achanta of India, who has rolled back the clock at Singapore Smash 2024, taking down world No.13 Darko Jorgic earlier in the day.
Meanwhile, Aruna who despite back injury edged out South Korea’s Lim Jonghoon 3-2 (11-4, 4-11, 7-11, 11-9, 14-12) but on Tuesday, March 12, was shown the exit in the round of 16 by Romania’s Ovidiu Ionescu with a 3-0 (12-14, 7-11, 9-11) loss.
Table Tennis
Ayanwale, Aiyelabegan set to defend titles at 2025 National Table Tennis Championships in Osun
Defending champions Jamiu Ayanwale and Sukurat Aiyelabegan will begin their title defence on Monday, April 28, as the 5th edition of the Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championships kicks off in the historic town of Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.
Ayanwale, representing Rivers State, dominated the 2024 edition, showcasing exceptional skill and determination. He triumphed in the Men’s Singles, defeating Wasiu Azeez of Oyo State in a thrilling final.
Similarly, Kwara’s Aiyelabegan impressed by overcoming top contenders, including Lagos State champion Bose Odusanya, with a decisive 4-0 victory in the Women’s Singles final.
This year, Ayanwale will face stiff competition from players like Omah Amadi, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, and Akinwale Fagbamila in the Men’s Singles.
Meanwhile, Aiyelabegan, known for her unique pimples style, will contend with familiar rivals such as Odusanya, Aminat Fashola, and Bisola Asaju in the Women’s Singles.
With over 50 teams from states and clubs across Nigeria confirmed for this year’s edition, the singles events are expected to draw significant attention. The tournament promises a blend of table tennis and entertainment, with the newly built Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Table Tennis Hall set to host the action.
From April 28 to May 2, players from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Taraba, Nasarawa, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti, Katsina, Niger, Zamfara, and the host state, Osun, as well as clubs like Aruna Sports Club, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Nigeria Police Force, will compete for honours in the five-day tournament with a prize pool of N11.5 million.
Adding to the excitement, the tournament will feature daily performances by various artists, ensuring a vibrant atmosphere.
Events will include men’s singles, women’s singles, U-15 boys’ and girls’ singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, veteran singles, para men’s singles open, para women’s singles open, deaf men’s singles, deaf women’s singles, and local singles.
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Otan Ayegbaju, a historic town in Southwestern Nigeria, will host 50 teams from states and clubs across the country for the 5th edition of the Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championships in Osun State.
The tournament, sponsored by the Michael and Felicia Alabi Foundation and organised by the Osun State Table Tennis Association under the auspices of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), will take place at Idera Multi-Purpose Hall in Otan Ayegbaju from April 27 to May 3, 2025.
Participating teams will come from various states including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Taraba, Nasarawa, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti, Katsina, Niger, Zamfara, and the host state, Osun. Expected clubs include Aruna Sports Club, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Nigeria Police Force.
With over ₦11.5 million at stake, the one-week tournament will take place at the newly built Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Table Tennis Hall.
Ayodeji Alabi, chairman of the Osun State Table Tennis Association, stated that the tournament aims to complement the federation’s efforts to discover new talent and empower youth across the country.
To enhance this year’s edition, the tournament promises a blend of sports and entertainment, with several artists scheduled to perform daily.
Alabi, a member of the ITTF Africa Committee, assured that all participants would be accommodated and fed throughout the event to motivate them to perform their best.
“Whoever comes to this tournament will take home a lot of happiness because we have an entertainment lounge featuring many artists. After the games, there will be comedy shows, music performances, and well-known disc jockeys. We are creating a diverse entertainment portfolio for everyone attending,” Alabi said.
Additionally, para and deaf events will be part of this year’s edition, with athletes competing in various categories including men’s singles, women’s singles, U-15 boys’ and girls’ singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, veteran singles, para men’s singles open, para women’s singles open, deaf men’s singles, deaf women’s singles, and local singles.
“This year, we expect about 400 to 450 participants, and we will house and feed them free of charge. This year’s tournament is different because we have created an environment where participants will sleep and eat well,” Alabi added.
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Solange Ngonda Tibesa, an Ogoja-based Cameroonian refugee, will be representing Nigeria at the fifth edition of the World Table Tennis Day 2025 event.
The WTTD 2025 is an event that is supported by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) to promote the development of the game of table tennis at the grassroots level all over the world.
According to the ITTF, “Thirty promoters were selected for World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) 2025.
“Representing 27 countries and territories across all five continents. These passionate individuals will play a pivotal role in uniting communities and sharing the joy of table tennis on 23rd April 2025.”
A record 160 persons applied to be considered as WTTD 2025 promoters, out of which Solange and 29 other applicants from 27 countries and five continents applied to be considered.
Furthermore, the ITTF stated that they will provide Solange and the other promoters with financial assistance, capacity-building resources, and personalised guidance to align their initiatives with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the theme of diversity and inclusion.
Solange, who is currently a full-time staff member of Save the Children, is also a trained netball coach who supervises the compulsory twice-a-week training of the more than thirty netballers who are based at the Adagom 3 refugee camp.
During a telephone interview with our reporter, Solange stated that on 23rd April 2025, she and the Ogoja refugees table tennis organising committee hope to hold the event in the Adagom 1, Adagom 3 and Ukende camps.
Over one thousand persons are expected to attend this event in the three separate refugee camps. The event will be spiced up with a table tennis challenge, live music, health and well-being talks, and some light refreshments for the spectators.
Furthermore, Solange stated: “As an experienced community worker, I know the important role sports can play in bringing people together and giving them the opportunities to compete with each other under set rules, in a respectful manner. I am also aware that sports could be used to empower and provide psychosocial support to vulnerable persons, including the physically challenged.
“We hope to use the game of table tennis to reach out to my fellow Cameroonians and members of our host community in Ogoja.”
Finally, Solange commended the CSED (Community Sports and Educational Development) Initiative for bringing the WTTD 2025 grant advertisement to her attention and encouraging her to apply for WTTD 2025.
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