African Games champion braces for Nigeria, others at ITTF African Cup

Dina Meshref, the 2015 African Games champion says she is bracing up for opposition from Nigeria and other countries at the forthcoming 2017 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) African Cup.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championship is scheduled from July 1 to July 13 in Agadir, Morocco.

ITTF-Africa media department in a statement on Monday said that Egypt’s Meshref’s defeat at the 2016 ITTF African Championships was still fresh in her memory.

“I know that the competition in Agadir, Morocco would be tough with a lot of worthy competitors.

“I am re-checking all my weaknesses that led to the defeat in October.

“I am working hard in avoiding them again this time whether I play against Olufunke Oshonaike or any other player,” ITTF quoted the women singles defending champion as saying.

It also said that the America University of Cairo graduate was shaping up with three-week training.

“I think I had a good three weeks period to practice and prepare for the tournament.

“Also, I believe the matches at the World Championships in Düsseldorf were good to prepare me for Morocco,” it quoted her as saying.

Acknowledging the qualities of Nigerian players, Meshref admitted: “The challenge will be from my teammates and the Nigerian players.

“I hope I can win the African Cup and qualify to the World Cup this year. It’s always great to represent Egypt at a prestigious event such as the World Cup.”