by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF Africa Press Officer

Faiza Mahmoud started playing para table tennis in 2001. She became African champion in 2007, later she competed at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games; then also in 2012 in London and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

“I was encouraged by one of the national coaches in Egypt, Nasr Ahmed, to embrace table tennis fully. I was taken through the basics. A few years later I became national champion and went to conquer Africa in 2007 to qualify for my first Paralympic Games in China. In the parliament, there is a quota for outstanding sportsmen and sportswomen; I was considered ahead of others from Cairo to fill the post. So, I must admit that it was table tennis that aided my going to parliament. Since I became a lawmaker, it has not been easy combining with table tennis. However, this never stopped me from following my passion and that is why I am working hard to ensure I make it to the next Paralympic Games in Japan.” Faiza Mahmoud

First place in the group for Faiza Mahmoud, the no.2 seed, in the corresponding group, it was the same outcome for Nigeria’s Chineye Obiora, the top seed.

Meanwhile, in group organised women’s singles events, in class 6-8, the Egyptian duo of Hanna Hammad and Zaki Dalia ended the day unbeaten as in class 10 did Nigeria’s Faith Obazuaye and Egypt’s Reda Abdelaal.

Play in the individual events concludes on Monday 1st July.

2019 Para African Championships: Latest Results and Draws