We support Quadri’s quest for laurels at Belgium 2017 ITTF World Cup, says Tikom

• Nigeria wins three gold, two silver medals at ITTF Egypt junior open
President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Engr. Ishaku Tikom has said that the body has given Aruna Quadri the support it can offer as he prepares for this week’s International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Cup holding between October 20 and 22 in Liege, Belgium.

Quadri and Omar Assar will represent Africa in the men’s singles category, the first time it will be happening in the history of the competition. Quadri booked a place as the sole qualifier, while Assar gained participation as the second continental flagbearer due to his world ranking.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Tikom said the federation was leaving no stone unturned to ensure Quadri did well in Belgium.

“The federation is fully supporting Quadri in every way it can and we have always been in contact with him. There is even an arrangement by the federation to be with him at the start of the World Cup to give our support,” he said.

Tikom, who spoke on Quadri’s complaint of government’s lack of support and his desperation for a coach before he secured one, said the same German coach that helped him book a quarterfinal place at the ITTF 2014 World Cup held in Duesseldorf, Germany, will stand behind him in Belgium.

“There is an arrangement Quadri had with a German coach recently. What I know is that he now has a coach. How and which way he got it, is not important because I cannot start telling you how much support the federation has provided.

“The most important thing is that Aruna will not be alone there. He has a coach that will be behind him to give support. All we need Nigerians to do is to pray for him,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NTTF boss also told The Guardian that the nation’s cadet boys won three gold and two silver medals in the singles event at the ITTF Egypt Junior Open.

“Our boys just came back from Egypt this morning where they went to participate in the junior open. They clinched three gold and two silver medals in the competition that ended yesterday (on Sunday),” he stated.