by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer
Against South Africa she beat Thabisile Mtshoelibe (11-2, 11-2, 11-4), in opposition to Angola she accounted for Ruth Tavares ((11-3, 11-3, 11-8) as Egypt secured first place in the group without surrendering a single individual match.
However, being a wife, life for the 25 year old is now somewhat different.
Farah Abdel-Aziz explained.
“I must be sincere that it has been very exacting since I got married, particularly with regards to my training schedule. I am not as free as before, because I have a responsibility to care for our home and my husband. I am really trying to balance the two but it has not been easy.
Table tennis for me is life and it is not easy to just abandon it like that. I cannot do without practising each day. I work in the morning and go to training in the evening. Even when I am training I am thinking of my home.
I have a responsibility towards my husband but table tennis has been part of me since I was five, so dumping it now will not come easy. I am fortunate to have a supporting husband who understands me as he is a sportsman himself. He encourages me to go for training because he knows I love the game. He drives me and motivates me but I don’t want to take him for granted as I have to fulfil my responsibilities as wife.
I knew that if I had to marry, I must marry a sportsman who will understand me. So it was a conscious decision for me to marry a sportsman; so far this has really helped me. Being a sportsman himself, he knows I have to train to be in shape, so for me I am getting used to this new lifestyle and I hope I will be able to manage it well. Before my marriage, I only thought about myself but now, I have responsibilities to my husband and think of him as well.
My dream is to win an African title and I am also looking forward to competing at the 2019 African Games and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. I will continue to play hoping that my dream will become a reality. I am also looking forward to having a baby but if the baby comes before the African Games I will have to stop and hope that I can return for the Games.
In Mauritius, it is going to be hard because there are lots of good players competing for the title but as usual I will try my best to see if I can make it this year. With players like Olufunke Oshonaike and Edem Offiong of Nigeria as well as the Algerians and my teammates, it promises to be tough but I am hopeful”
Farah Abdel-Aziz is married Assem El-Gendy, he is a basketball player.
2018 ITTF African Championships: Newsletter – Monday 3rd September
2018 ITTF African Championships: Newsletter – Tuesday 4th September
