"Aruna Criticizes Nigerian Government: Claims Government Funded Only One Out of 12 Tournaments He Participated In"
Aruna Quadri, Nigeria's renowned table tennis player, has made a name for himself on the international stage, but his success has not been backed by government funding. Instead, Quadri's career has been primarily supported by private sponsors and individuals.
Quadri's latest achievement came at the Doha World Championships, where he reached the round of 16 with the help of his Togolese coach, Fanny. This was a significant development for Quadri, who had been coaching himself for 99% of his tournaments due to government neglect.
Quadri's journey began 15 years ago when he left Nigeria to play in the Portuguese Super League. His breakthrough came in 2014, when he received support from Joola and Adomeit during the World Cup in Duesseldorf. This support helped him reach the quarter-finals.
Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi, the present president of the Africa Table Tennis Federation, has been a crucial supporter of Quadri. Oshodi provided him with financial support and also secured a sponsor, Babajebu, for three years, which played an important role in Quadri's 2016 Rio Olympic Games preparation.
Quadri's participation in the 2025 World Championships in Doha was also self-funded, as he financed his own ticket. Despite this, he emphasized the importance of regular tournament attendance for young players and urged the Nigerian government to invest in emerging table tennis talents to secure Nigeria's future in the sport.
Quadri's typical calendar includes participation in 12 tournaments annually, but the Nigerian government only funds participation in one, usually within Africa. This lack of support has not deterred Quadri, who continues to self-sponsor the rest of his tournaments through support from his German equipment sponsor, GEWO.
Throughout his career, Quadri has expressed frustration over years of neglect by the Federal Government despite his consistent international exploits. He appreciates his fans and sponsors for their unwavering support and hopes that one day, the Nigerian government will recognise the value of investing in its table tennis talents.
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