Table Tennis: Egypt To Represent Africa At London’s World Team Cup

EDENWOBODO CHUKWUEMEKA PATRICK 

African champion, Dina Meshref of Egypt 

As the champion of Africa, Egypt (men and women) will fly the continent flag at the 2018 ITTF World Team Cup holding in London on February 22 to 25.

Egypt qualification has been confirmed during the 2017 African Championships held in Morocco having emerged as champions in the men and women team events.
Egypt’s men team claimed bronze at the 2013 edition in China and they were honoured nationally by the Egyptian government.

Egypt will be joined in the tournament by world and Olympic champion, China as well as host – England for the 12-team tournament holding at Copper Box Arena on London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Captain of the Egyptian women team, Dina Meshref is the most successful star in the team having claimed more medals that anyone in the team.

In the last four years, she has won the sole slot to represent Africa at the ITTF World Cup and as an experienced star, the America University of Cairo (AUC) graduate has a lofty ambition going into this year’s World Team Cup in London come February 22 to 25.

As the team resumes training ahead of the tournament, Dina Meshref still believes they can make their presence felt in London. “. We have started national team training this week, and I hope we can be all in good form by the end of February in order to be able to perform well at the World Team Cup in London. Many of the team members will also participate at the 2018 Hungary Open, which will be a good preparation for the event in February,” she said.

For the London tournament, she said: “It is very tough, if we get a good draw, I hope we could win a match and qualify to the main draw.”

She however, expressed optimism on the men’s team by saying, “I believe the men’s team can repeat their achievement in China one more time in London.”