by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer
Dina Meshref lines up alongside Farah Abdel-Aziz, Reem El-Eraky, Youra Helmy and Galila Nasser.
“Everyone is excited to play in the Championship Division this year for the first time. We are all really looking forward to playing the World Championships this year more than any other year. For the women’s team, I don’t think it will be easy to be among the first three teams in the group, so I hope that we can just perform well, do our best and try to win as many matches as possible in the group stage.” Dina Meshref
It is a quite prodigious task; Egypt appears in the same group as Japan, Austria, Hungary, Ukraine and the United States.
“Of course the group is tough. I believe that all matches in the Championship Division are very tough; it’s a different level entirely.” Dina Meshref
Earlier this year in late February, Egypt fielded the trio of Dina Meshref, Farah Abdel-Aziz and Yousra Helmy at the 2018 ITTF Team World Cup in London.
They experienced a three-nil defeat against Japan, who fielded the trio comprising Kasumi Ishikawa, Hina Hayata and Mima Ito. The defeat was followed by a three-one reverse in opposition to the United States combination of Wu Yue, Lily Zhang and Amy Wang. The one win for Egypt was recorded in the second match of the fixture when Dina Meshref beat Amy Wang.
“I have to say it’s not an easy match against the United States but we will do our best and try to achieve a better result this time. For the women’s team, I think we will be amongst the last three teams in the group; it will be difficult to be amongst the first three teams.” Dina Meshref
Nevertheless, it is a challenge for Dina Meshref and her colleagues; they have nothing to lose.
“We are doing our best to be in good form before the tournament. We are have a couple of national events in Egypt at the moment, so we don’t have the chance to organise a training camp. I believe that playing these events can be considered good preparation for the matches at a World Team Championships.” Dina Meshref
Egypt meets Hungary in their opening fixture at 10.00 am on the first day of play; Hungary selects from Krisztina Ambrus, Dora Madarasz, Mercedes Nagyvaradi, Szandra Pergel and Georgina Pota.
