Ahead of the 2025 ITTF World Cup in Macao, Nigeria’s table tennis landscape witnessed both hope and heartbreak.
While Aruna Quadri stands as the nation’s sole representative, his compatriot, Fatimo Bello, faces the crushing disappointment of missing her World Cup debut due to visa complications.
Aruna’s Uphill Battle
Aruna Quadri entered the tournament with high expectations, ranked 20th globally and second in Africa.
His opening match against Benin Republic’s Abdel-Kader Salifou, the tournament’s lowest-ranked player at 117th, was anticipated to be a straightforward victory.
However, the World Cup stage is notorious for its unpredictability, and Aruna’s journey is anything but assured.
Quadri’s recent performance at the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup saw him narrowly lose the final to Egypt’s Omar Assar in a grueling seven-set match, marking his third consecutive final loss to Assar in the tournament’s history.
Despite the setback, the 36-year-old secured his spot in Macao, aiming to replicate or surpass his historic 2014 quarterfinal run—the first by an African player.
Bello’s Visa Woes
Fatimo Bello, one of Africa’s rising stars, earned her World Cup qualification by reaching the semifinals at the Africa Cup. However, her dreams were dashed when the Chinese Embassy in Lagos denied her visa application, despite her being based in Italy.
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) confirmed that all efforts, including diplomatic channels, were exhausted to secure her participation.
Bello’s absence is a significant blow, not only to her personally but also to Nigeria’s representation in women’s table tennis on the global stage. Her spot was subsequently filled by Hong Kong’s Chengzhu Zhu.
African Contingent in Macao
Joining Aruna in the men’s draw are Egypt’s Omar Assar and Mohamed El-Beiali, along with Cameroon’s Ylane Batix, who makes history as the first male Cameroonian to qualify for the World Cup.
The women’s draw features Egypt’s Hana Goda, Dina Meshref, and Mariam Alhodaby.
As the tournament progresses, Aruna is left alone to carry Nigeria’s hopes. His aggressive forehand and high-speed gameplay have become his trademarks, and the country is eager to see if he can navigate the challenges ahead.
Meanwhile, Fatimo Bello’s situation highlights the non-sporting hurdles athletes often face.
Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding international sports participation and the dreams that can be deferred due to bureaucratic obstacles.
