by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer

However, the major event this year for Sami Kherouf is the 2019 African Games to be staged in Morocco in late August and early September.

“There is no specific preparation for me, I keep working out regularly and playing competitions for my club in France at a good level. We hope to have group training as a national team very soon; I am highly excited and motivated to take part in the tournament in Hungary particularly playing against the best players in the world.” Sami Kherouf

Even without high expectations, Sami Kherouf is motivated to test himself against the best in the world.

“I would like to go as far as possible and produce a good performance in Budapest. My participation in this tournament is going to be preparation for the African Games in order for me to have the chance of qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.” Sami Kherouf

Understandably, Sami Kherouf aims to progress as far as possible but he realistic; his feet are firmly on the ground.

“I know it is going to be a tough task in Budapest but my priority is to use the tournament to test my ability in readiness for the African Games in Morocco. I want to play at the Olympic Games next year,” Sami Kherouf

In Budapest, Sami Kherouf will be joined in the men’s singles event by compatriots by Abdelbasset Chaichi and Aissa Belkadi; the women’s team comprises Lynda Loghraibi and Katia Kessaci alongside Loubna Djedjik.