Nigeria’s Table Tennis Legend Quadri Aruna Speaks Out on Years of Struggles and Sacrifice
Written by Alonge Akinlolu on 9 — 09
Nigeria’s most decorated table tennis star, Quadri Aruna, has shared a heartfelt message on social media, reflecting on his journey, the sacrifices he made, and the lack of support he endured from the Nigerian government despite his global achievements.
Below is his message in full:
15 years ago, I arrived in Portugal to play as a professional table tennis player in Portuguese super league and almost every weekend I played league matches for my club, and internationally I was playing minimum of one tournament in a month with the support of Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi, the present president of Africa table tennis federation and this financial support from him made me improved rapidly.
With zero support from Nigeria government , I played 99% of the tournaments without a coach and I travelled most of the time alone.
2014 World Cup In Dusseldorf, my former sponsor (Joola) supported me with German coach called ADOMEIT while Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi paid for my flight ticket and hotel and the coach presence got me to quarter finals.
Years after, the same Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi got me the only sponsor ever I had from Nigeria, BABAIJEBU for three years and this played an important role in my 2016 RIO Olympic Games preparation where I got to quarter finals.
Year after year, I keep playing without a coach because Nigeria refused to support me and If I feature in 12 tournaments in a year, Nigeria only pay for one tournament which is mostly African tournament and rest of the tournaments are self sponsored and support from my sponsor GEWO.
2025 world championships in Doha, I bought my ticket myself because Nigeria refused to buy my ticket on time and I had to be in Doha days before my participation, I played my first two matches with coach Dotun Omoniyi and I felt totally comfortable with his words while playing, after winning my first two matches, Nigeria said coach Dotun could not continue to coach me because there was no money to change his flight that he had to return to Nigeria. I later paid a friend from TOGO to change his flight to coach me in my round of 32. With the help of FANNY as my coach from Togo, I got to round of 16 in Doha world championships.
It’s time, it’s very important Nigeria start to invest in the present young players to attend tournaments regularly.
Thanks to everyone for the support overs the years.
God bless Nigeria
