by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer
A place in the 2018 Women’s World Cup is the ultimate prize in the Kenyan capital city; presently listed at no.33 on the recently issued Women’s World Rankings, the 23 year old from Cairo is determined to be present when the tournament is staged later this year in the Chinese city of Chengdu.
In Nairobi, the defending champion, she is drawn in the same group as Cameroon’s Sarah Hanffou, Botswana’s Tshepiso Rebatenne and Ghana’s Cecilia Baah-Danso.
“I love attending ITTF World Cup as it is one of the biggest and most colourful tournaments in the international calendar. It is the dream of every player to compete against the best. I cannot afford to miss this year’s tournament having attending the most recent editions.” Dina Meshref
Positive but she is well aware there is strong opposition from compatriot Farah Abdel-Aziz as well as from the Nigerian duo of Olufunke Oshonaike and Edem Offiong.
“I must admit that it is not going to be an easy road to the top in Kenya because I have to contend with Farah, Oshonaike and Edem; they are among the best in the continent. They are also potential winners. I must at my best and I am in shape for this competition having just featured at the Team World Cup in London. There is no doubt that it promises to be exciting but I am ready to fend off challenge to ensure I make it to the world cup this year.” Dina Meshref
There are four groups in the initial stage; players finishing in first and second positions in each group progress to the quarter-finals.
