by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF Africa, Press Officer

It is the first time Africa has been represented by two players in the competition.

“I think having two African players at the World Cup is no child’s play as it is a long years of hard work from the players. Unlike before when for years, we have only one player emerging from the hundreds of players in Africa competing either at the African Cup or Top 16 Cup. It goes to show that Quadri and I have raised the profile of Africa in global table tennis as everybody now sees the continent as among the best in the world. I am so happy and I just hope we can make things happen in the tournament but I must be sincere that it is the best 20 players in the world that are competing and we should not too complacent but play our best against the best to be able to make some points in the tournament.” Omar Assar

Quadri Aruna qualified by winning the 2017 ITTF Africa Cup, Quadri Aruna by virtue of World ranking.

“I have prepared very well for this tournament in Liège and I am optimistic that with the training I can do well by first of all qualifying from the group.” Omar Assar

Both Omar Assar and Quadri Aruna must compete in the first stage; players finishing in first and second positions in each of the four groups advance to join the top eight seeds in the main draw. The main draw play is conducted in a knock-out basis with a play-off match for third place.

Quadri Aruna lines up alongside Korea’s Lee Sangsu and Kanak Jha of the United States; for Omar Assar his adversaries are Russia’s Alexander Shibaev and Cédric Nuytinck.

Play commences at 3.00pm (local time).