Top African table tennis players are set to compete at the 2025 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals, which will take place in Doha, Qatar, from 17 to 25 May. This marks a return to the Middle East for the global event, two decades after Doha first hosted it in 2004.
The prestigious tournament will be staged across two venues, the Lusail Multipurpose Hall and the Qatar University Sports Complex, and will feature five key events: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. Singles matches will follow a best-of-seven format, while doubles contests will be decided in best-of-five games.
Africa’s top-ranked player, Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna, leads the continent’s charge. Aruna made history in 2021 by becoming the first African to reach the quarter-finals of the World Championships in Houston. He is hoping to go even further in Doha. Joining him is Egypt’s Omar Assar, who matched Aruna’s quarter-final achievement in Durban in 2023.
The African contingent will also include players from Algeria, Tunisia, and Madagascar, with representatives competing across all categories, including doubles and mixed doubles.
Also Read: U-20 AFCON: Nigeria Beat Senegal on Penaltiest
Despite notable performances in recent years, Africa is yet to claim a medal at the World Championships. The best result so far remains a quarter-final finish. However, players and coaches believe this could be the year the continent finally breaks that barrier.
Speaking ahead of the competition, Aruna expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and determination. “We know the challenge ahead, but we are not just going to participate. We are going with the belief that we can win,” he said.
The draw for the tournament has already taken place, revealing tough early match-ups for the African stars, including Aruna and Assar. Nonetheless, the players are focused and ready to rise to the occasion on the global stage.
As the countdown begins, the spotlight is firmly on Africa’s finest as they aim to make history in Doha and inspire a new generation of players across the continent.
