Egypt’ Dina Meshref Eyes Nigeria Open Title In Lagos

Thrice Dina Meshref has made it to the final of the ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open ‘Lagos 2017’ and she has been unfortunate to have missed out from the title and again the African champion is coming to Lagos to right all the wrongs that had befallen her in previous editions of the championships, which serves off on August 9 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria.

Meshref, who recently completed her first degree at the American University in Cairo (AUC) is coming to Lagos to put her words to action against the star-studded competition this year which has two former champions of the ITTF World Tour.

The unassuming African Games gold medalist said: “Sometimes the weather in Lagos is not friendly but the atmosphere in the hall is something else. It is the delight of every player to play in such atmosphere as the fans make it more exciting and inspiring. I am really looking forward to the tournament because I have been unfortunate having played in the women’s and U21 singles finals in 2014 which I lost. Also in 2015, I lost in the women’s singles final as well. My only consolation was winning the U-21 title. But I am determined to win the title this year.”

She, however, described the Nigeria Open as one of the exciting tournaments in the ITTF Calendar with the overwhelming presence and support of fans at the venue.

“Nigeria Open has given most African players the opportunity to showcase their talents as well as garner world ranking points. This is good and I am hoping every African player will avail themselves of this rare opportunity to have such tournament being hosted in the continent. There is no doubt that the host country – Nigeria has potential in the sport and they can make use of the tournament to groom more stars like ArunaQuadri,” the 2017 ITTF Africa Cup champion said.

Meanwhile,  as part of efforts to update the knowledge of umpires that will handled proceedings at the ITTF Nigeria Open ‘Lagos 2017’, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in collaboration with Nigeria Table Tennis Umpires and Referees Association is organizing one-day refresher training on Saturday August 5 at the University of Lagos Senior Staff Club in Lagos.

According to the chairman of the umpires’ body and Tournament Director of Nigeria Open, Olufemi George, the theme of the training is ‘Our passion for the game’.

In a statement signed by George, “The Retreat 2017 is the first of its kind organized by the Executive committee of the association, while the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association will precede the retreat. The Retreat is specifically organized to prepare the umpires in readiness for the Nigeria Open to ensure that the standard of officiating is improved upon and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the game as prescribed by ITTF.

Over 42 members of the association have signed up for the training while the immediate President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) will deliver the keynote address.