Table Tennis: Egypt’s Assar Faces New Challenge In Germany

Having played in the last two seasons professionally in the French elite league for Marseille-based Istres, Omar Assar (EGY) is aware of the task ahead of him when he begins a new life in his career in the prestigious Bundesliga in Germany.

Like every athlete, who aspires to go higher in their career, Omar Assar has decided to take up the gauntlet to compete in the star-studded Bundesliga for SV Werder Bremen.

Admitting what he had to forgo to leave his former club in France, Omar Assar said: “It is hard to leave such a big and nice club as Istres in Marseille. However, I decided to take a new challenge and I am very happy with my decision.”

The three-time Nigeria Open champion will join forces with German international, Bastian Steger and Romania’s Hunor Szöcs in the club’s green colours under the coaching guidance of Cristian Tamas.

With several offers coming the way of the 2015 All African Games champion, the Egyptian sensation had to consider the profile of SV Werder Bremen coupled with the quality of the players and technical prowess of the club  before finally making up his mind to sign the dotted lines in march this year for the 2013 Bundesliga champion.

“I had several offers from European clubs especially from Germany this year. I felt I have improved on my game, a reason many German clubs were willing to sign me,” he said.

Also, Omar Assar wanted to fulfill his childhood dream with his movement to Germany. “It has been a childhood goal and dream that I wanted to be the first Egyptian, Arab and African player to play in the best league in Europe. So I am very honoured that I am going to represent Bremen in this coming season.

“It is a great honour to be the first player from Africa to play in the modern Bundesliga and I am more excited that I have signed to a big club such as Bremen with nice people,” he added.

Omar Assar who has been training with the club in the last two months spoke glowingly about his prospect in the club.

“I am so excited joining Bremen, a team that has won the league before in 2013. My targets are enormous but my first goal is to show respect to my teammates, members, fans and management of the team during the daily training and preparation for the commencement of the league. I am also hoping that I will have a good season with great attitude in my first season and I wish to perform very well in all the seasons,” Omar Assar admitted.