I want to be a good ambassador of Nigeria in China, says Aruna Quadri

I want to be a good ambassador of Nigeria in China, says Aruna Quadri

Quadri Aruna - TTC RhonSprudel Fulda-Maberzell

Aruna Quadri has been leading TTC RhönSprudel Maberzell Fulda in the Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL) and the 32-year-old is yet to find his feet in the league and the Nigerian promises that with the return of the spectators, he hopes to raise his game. The Nigerian will compete in the ITTF Restart Tournaments next month and he promises to be a good ambassador.

 

Q1. You will travel to China to play a World Cup tournament (November 13-15 in Weihai) and the ITTF finals (November 19-22 in Zheng). What are your goals?

 

“My goals are always the same: I want to improve my performance and be a good ambassador for my country, my sponsors, and my club”

 

Q2. The Olympic Games in Tokyo, which have been postponed by a year, are on the agenda for the coming year. That would be her third. Do you believe in an event?

 

“In the current situation, hardly anything can be planned. Of course, the Olympic Games are something special. But health and safety come first.” 

 

Q3. You are 32 years old. How long do you want to continue practicing your sport as a professional?

 

“I hope for a few more years. I will continue to play table tennis as long as my body allows it and my performance is good.”

 

 Q4. Why do you find it so difficult against opponents who are far behind you in the world rankings?

 

“It is still very difficult for me to adapt to the level of play in Germany. But I firmly believe that I will be able to do that very soon. The Bundesliga is really strong and challenging. I think the chance of winning is always around 50:50. One shortcoming was certainly having to play some games without spectators, like in Bad Königshofen and Düsseldorf. That is not satisfactory for me; the morale was not the same as in an audience game. Spectators are very important to me, which is an additional incentive for me.”

 

Q5. Is there a big difference between Bundesliga games and international tournaments?

 

“The Bundesliga and international tournaments are very similar. The level of play is very high here.”

 

Q6. Your weapon is the forehand. Your weak point is the backhand. The opponents use this consistently. How can you solve the dilemma?

 

“I am working very hard to become even more variable and I am confident that I am on the right track. I’m looking forward to doing my best for the team.”

Q7. They stayed in Maberzell for a few weeks and trained in Fulda, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf. How do you like it in Germany?

 

“Germany is a beautiful country with nice people. I enjoy my stay in Fulda very much.”

 

Q8. You are Nigerian, have a Portuguese passport, and live in Lisbon with your family. What do you feel like?

 

“For me, Portugal is my second home, this is where I like to live. But Nigeria is my home. At the end of the season, we go on vacation there and visit relatives and friends.”

 

Q9. As a result of your assignments in the Bundesliga, you are abroad more often than before. Do you miss your family?

 

“I am a family person and always enjoy being with my wife and children. When I’m out and about, I keep in touch with them every day via the Internet. Even when I’m in Lisbon, the focus is on training. Table tennis is my job. It is very important to me that I can take good care of my family through my work.”

 

Q10. In the fight to stay in the league, the two games on November 27th against promoted Bad Homburg and on December 4th in Grenzau are immensely important. How big is the pressure?

 

“We’re professionals and we’re under pressure in every match – especially in both games, of course, because we urgently need the points.”

 

Q11. Are you worried that you might not be able to stay up?

 

“Naturally. But I think we will improve from game to game and we have even better days ahead of us. Hopefully, there will be a happy ending for us.”

 

Q12. Coronavirus turns life upside down – sport is no exception. With what you know today, would you have decided to join the table tennis Bundesliga again?

 

“In any case. It was always my dream to play in the Bundesliga. I am very happy and satisfied that Maberzell gave me the opportunity. And I will do everything I can not to disappoint the club and the spectators.”

 

 

SOURCE : 

Nigeria Table Tennis Federation

Quadri Aruna

Aruna Quadri leads TTC to second league win in TTBL

Aruna Quadri leads TTC to second league win in TTBL

Quadri Aruna
Quadri Aruna - TTC RhonSprudel Fulda-Maberzell

Aruna Quadri lived up to expectations in his first season in the Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL) as the Nigerian saved his team TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell from the brink of defeat to beat reigning champions FC Saarbrücken 3-2 at the weekend.

The visitors were on their way to emphatic win but Quadri’s display changed the tone of the game for the home team as his win against Darko Jorgic 3- 0 (11- 5, 11- 9, 11- 2) was what gave TTC hope of a comeback.

Earlier, Ruwen Filus and Fan Bo Meng have both suffered 3-0 (5-11, 6-11, 10-12) and 3-1 (7-11, 11-8, 7-11, 9-11) to Patrick Franziska and Shang Kun respectively.

However, it was the win by the Nigerian superstar that motivated the comeback of TTTC against the star-studded visitors.

It was the Quadri’s win that inspired Filus to record his first league win as the German international beat Shang Kun 3-1 (11- 8, 11- 5, 8-11, 11- 7) to put the tie at 2-2.

Against Quadri returned to the table to partner Meng in the deciding doubles match against Franziska and Jorgic. And continuing from what he had done earlier in the game, Quadri’s forehand supported by the backhand topspin of Meng confused Franziska and Jorgic to hand TTC a 3-0 (11-5, 15-13, 11- 7) win to the admiration of the TTC fans which had in attendance the President of TTC Stefan Frauenholz.

A delighted Frauenholz admitted after the match that the Nigerian has again shown why he remains one of the most sought after players in the world.

“Quadri Aruna initiated the turnaround in the third duel of the day, the 3-0 win over Darko Jorgic a clear sign of the qualities that lie dormant in the Nigerian. Especially in the first (11: 5) and third set (11: 2) Aruna didn’t give Jorgic a chance and was able to go into the doubles with Meng with confidence,” Frauenholz said.

But the TTC boss said October 25th will be remembered fondly. “When you win against the reigning German champions, that’s something special,” said Frauenholz. 

Source: Nigerian Table Tennis Federation
Richard Ofori

Thank you Table Tennis United

Thank You #TableTennisUnited

The year 2020 started like any other year. A year in which athletes were preparing for the biggest sporting event in the world, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

However, every activity had to be brought to a halt due to the Novel Coronavirus. Associations affiliated with the International Table Tennis Association(ITTF) had to cancel their programs. This brought untold hardship to players and coaches of the sport.

In order to help our communities cope with the new normal #TableTennisUnited decided to intervene with stimulus packages for the Table Tennis community.

As a result we at GH. Table Tennis applied for support from #TableTennisUnited for one of our budding talents, Richard Ofori, who is a junior national Table Tennis player in Ghana who needs support to enable him to reach his fullest potential.

We were pleasantly surprised when we received a response from #TableTennisUnited. They provided training kits, which comprised of canvas, jersey, tracksuit, and rubbers.

A delighted Richard Ofori thanked #TableTennisUnited, and this is what he had to say:

                                  “Thank you #TableTennisUnited for making my dream come true”

 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the following people who provide help to Richard Ofori.

  • Mr. Adolf Awotwe who discovered Richard Ofori and became his coach and trainer.
  • Mr. Elliot Agyare the C.E.O of Smartline Publishing Limited who made it possible for Richard Ofori to use the EMEF’s training centre.
  • Mr. Joseph Amoabeng the mentor of Richard Ofori.
  • The Monday Special crew of Nungua, whom he plays the game with every Monday evening.
 We at GH. Table Tennis would wish to thank #TableTennisUnited for their immense support during this period of hardship and we promise to also do our part to help promote the game.
 
Richard Ofori
Richard Ofori - 2 Ranked U15 player in Ghana