ITTF Africa: Bello becomes third Nigerian to book Olympics ticket

Fatimo Bello has secured a ticket to represent the country at the table tennis event of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. 

The 26-year-old achieved the feat on Saturday after defeating Algeria’s Lynda Loughrabi 4-2 in the final round of qualifiers at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

Bello had little problem picking the first three sets against the Algerian, but her opponent sprung to life to claim the fourth and fifth sets.

The 2023 African Games silver medalist held off her opponent to win the sixth set and the seventh round of the best-of-seven match.

She had to take a longer route to the Olympic berth after losing to Cameroon’s Hanffoy Sarah in the 2nd round of qualifiers on Friday.

Bello joins compatriots Edem Offiong and Olajide Omotayo, who secured their places at the Games a day before.

Offiong defeated Gracie Fadwa of Tunisia 4-2 in the women’s singles to earn her fifth appearance at the Olympic games.

The 37-year-old made her Olympic debut in Athens in 2004 and never failed to qualify ever since.

Omotayo defeated Congo-Brazaville’s Saheed Idowu in four straight sets to book his second appearance at the Olympics.

He featured at the Tokyo Olympics but lost 4-0 to Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia in the first round of the men’s singles event.

Bello will make her Olympic debut when the Games begin in Paris on July 26.