The 2024 ITTF Africa Cup and the Africa Olympic Qualification Tournament kicked off in Kigali on Sunday, May 12, and will continue through May 18. Held at the BK Arena, these events mark the first major African championships in Rwanda in an Olympic year, drawing competitors from 17 nations.
John Birungi, president of the Rwanda Table Tennis Federation (RTTF), expressed his satisfaction with Rwanda’s role as host. “We are thrilled to host two significant events on the continental calendar. This initiative demonstrates our capability and ambition to organize world-class table tennis events, aligning with the standards of Egypt and South Africa,” he stated during a press conference on Saturday.
Khaled El-Salhy, President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), praised the state-of-the-art facilities at the BK Arena. “Rwanda’s readiness and the quality of their preparations are evident. We are excited about their potential to host future major tournaments,” El-Salhy commented.
The ITTF Africa Cup, which began on May 12, will conclude on May 14, followed by the Africa Olympic Qualification Tournament from May 16 to May 18. The tournaments feature prominent players such as Quadri Akinade Aruna from Nigeria, a three-time Olympian and the first African to break into the top 10 world rankings. Also competing is Hana Goda, a 16-year-old Egyptian prodigy and the youngest ever winner of the ITTF Africa Cup. Other noted participants include Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa and Ruqayyah Kino from Mauritius.
The RTTF’s leadership has underscored the crucial support from the Government of Rwanda and other backers, which has been instrumental in bringing these significant competitions to fruition.
