Quadri withdraws from WTT Contender in Lagos due to club engagement

Aruna Quadri has announced his withdrawal from the World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender, billed to commence in Lagos on June 12.

In a video on Tuesday, the 34-year-old said he won’t be participating in the competition “due to club engagement” with Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg.

He joined the Russian club from Germany’s TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell in January.

He will be representing the side at the FNTR Team Championship play-off scheduled to commence on June 13.

Hear it from the King himself! 🏓👑 Following the news of his withdrawal from the @WTTGlobal Contender Lagos, Quadri Aruna has a special message for all his fans. #WTTLagos pic.twitter.com/bmUSXIf4Qi

— WTT Lagos (@WTTLagos) June 6, 2023

In the video, Aruna urged the Lagos fans to support his compatriots and promised to feature in future events.

“Nothing as good as playing in front of my country crowd, and it is always fun, getting huge support from them — year after year,” he said.

“I am very sorry I will not be able to make it to the WTT Contender in Lagos next week due to my club engagement.

‘I really hope that all of you, my fans, will support all my compatriots and all the other players that will be playing Lagos in the competition.

“Thank you for the support over the year, and I really hope to see everyone soon at the next event.”

The six-day competition will be held at the Molade-Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall in Lagos.

At least 25 players will represent Nigeria, including Taiwo Mati, Olajide Omotayo, Offiong Edem, and Cecilia Akpan-Otu.