Nigeria’s representatives at the 2019 ITTF Team World Cup have earned a tough draw as they will be playing against World and Olympic Champions – China in the first round of the competition holding at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
The 2019 ITTF Team World Cup championship which is a test for the Olympic Games is holding between Wednesday, November 6th and Sunday 10th November 2019.
Twelve of the strongest national associations, in each of the men’s and women’s competitions, are battling for glory, which will also be the venue for next year’s big event and a dress rehearsal for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Aruna Quadri will lead the Nigeria team alongside Olajide Omotayo, Bode Abiodun, Segun Toriola and home-based Azeez Solanke.
African men’s champion, Nigeria will play the opening match in Group A against China on November 6 while their second group match will be against Chinese Taipei on November 7.
Like Nigeria, Egypt will also begin their campaign in Group A against China while their second match will be against Ukraine.
African Games gold medal winning Egyptian team will be led by the continent’s women singles champion – Dina Meshref as well as Yousra Helmy. Others are Farah Abdel-Aziz, Reem El-Eracky as well as teenage sensation, Marwa Alhodaby.
As 1st and 2nd seeds in both men’s and women’s competitions, China and Japan are the favourites to meet in Sunday’s finals.
