The reigning ITTF-Africa cup men’s champion Omar Assar as relay his fear over the injury sustained by Quadri Aruna during their epic final match on Sunday at the indoor sports complex, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Assar and Quadri displayed artistic table tennis talents as both players did justice to their rankings and gave Lagos mammoth fans something to cheers.
In what pans out as a rollercoaster game, Assar won the first set while Quadri claimed the 2nd and 3rd sets to make it 2-1. The Egyptian’s Assar fight back and pockets two sets in succession with Quadri winning the 6th set to leave the score at 3-3 and set up a pulsating final set.
The Nigerian No. 1 and world No. 10 Quadri Aruna rose to comfortable 4 points lead in the last set before sustaining what seems like thigh injury which apparently affected his performance subsequently (after receiving medical treatment ) which gives his opponent an edge to overturn the points deficit and win the decisive set to clinch the trophy.
Omar Assar said after the game:
“First of all I am very happy I performed very well here in Lagos one more time (because) It’s been long time I came here since the Covid19.
“I believe here is the best place to play in Africa because of the people and the fans. They love table tennis and they love to always cheer us everytime, you don’t see this often in Africa.
“I am happy I win today, but at the same time I’m very worried about Quadri’s injury. We are both friends outside the tennis court and for me the most important thing is that he’s healthy and he’s not in pain.
“I wish him all the best. s fast recovery.”
