Quadri Aruna will not play in the 2024 World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender Lagos after pulling out of the tournament due to precautionary measures to prevent injury.
Waheed Oshodi, the deputy president of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa and the chairman of the LOC, confirmed this during the WTT Contender Lagos World Press Conference ahead of the second edition of the WTT Series in Nigeria starting on Wednesday.
Mr Oshodi said the physio advised the reigning ITTF Africa Cup champion to withdraw from the competition due to his body structure being prone to injury as the 35-year-old continues work to win an Olympic medal at the 2024 Paris Games starting on July 26.
“He (Aruna Quadri) has been advised not to participate in WTT Contender Lagos but the physio as a precautionary measure to avoid injury due to his body,” Mr Oshodi said. “Aruna is currently preparing for the biggest event which is the Olympics.”
He added, “He is 35 years old now, so he does not have much time remaining to win an Olympic medal. He is currently working hard with experienced Segun Toriola (head coach of the Nigerian table tennis team) in preparation for the upcoming Olympics.”
“We know with two or three good games, you are in the semifinals where you can compete for the Olympic medal.
Mr Oshodi noted that even though Aruna will not compete in the WTT Contender Lagos, he will still be involved in the competition in other ways to help motivate local players.
