In a remarkable display of prowess, Team Nigeria clinched most of the tickets for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games during the ITTF African Para Championships held in Giza, Egypt. As reported by ThisDayLive, out of the 14 tickets available for the Paris event, Nigeria secured nine, while Egypt, the host nation, managed to claim five. This achievement underscores the continued dominance of these two nations in African para-sports.
The three-day tournament, which concluded on September 22, witnessed participation from various African nations, including Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and Algeria.
Highlighting individual achievements, Nigeria's Faith Obazuaye was the first to win a ticket after triumphing in the women's singles class 10. Following her lead, Kehinde Lawal and Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi secured tickets in the women's class nine and five, respectively.
In a heartwarming turn of events, Nigerian couple Kayode Alabi and Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi made history by becoming the first African couple to qualify for the Paralympic Games. The qualifications were achieved at the continental tournament held in Egypt.
On the Egyptian front, table tennis stars Ola Soliman, Fawzia ElShamy, and Hagar Elsayed earned their tickets in the women's class one, three, and eight. Notably, Sayed Youssef, an Egyptian table tennis veteran, is set to make his fifth appearance at the Paralympic Games, having competed in Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020.
Nigeria's dominance was particularly evident in the men's singles event, with four qualifying athletes set to make their Paralympic debut. Veterans Olufemi Alabi and Victor Farinloye are also gearing up for a return following their previous participation in Tokyo.
The three-day tournament, which concluded on September 22, witnessed participation from various African nations, including Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and Algeria.
Highlighting individual achievements, Nigeria's Faith Obazuaye was the first to win a ticket after triumphing in the women's singles class 10. Following her lead, Kehinde Lawal and Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi secured tickets in the women's class nine and five, respectively.
In a heartwarming turn of events, Nigerian couple Kayode Alabi and Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi made history by becoming the first African couple to qualify for the Paralympic Games. The qualifications were achieved at the continental tournament held in Egypt.
On the Egyptian front, table tennis stars Ola Soliman, Fawzia ElShamy, and Hagar Elsayed earned their tickets in the women's class one, three, and eight. Notably, Sayed Youssef, an Egyptian table tennis veteran, is set to make his fifth appearance at the Paralympic Games, having competed in Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020.
Nigeria's dominance was particularly evident in the men's singles event, with four qualifying athletes set to make their Paralympic debut. Veterans Olufemi Alabi and Victor Farinloye are also gearing up for a return following their previous participation in Tokyo.
