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Aruna Returns For $250,000 WTT Star Contender Bangkok

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After missing the WTT Contender events in Lagos and Tunis last month, Quadri Aruna is back in action at the WTT Star Contender Bangkok 2024 in Thailand.
As one of the top seeds in the men’s singles, the Nigerian aims to bolster his ranking points ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Currently ranked 16th by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Aruna could secure a spot among the top 16 seeds in the men’s singles in Paris, with only two of the five top-ranked Chinese players competing.
Aruna stands out as the sole African star competing against a star-studded line-up in Bangkok taking place at the Huamark Indoor Stadium.
Having missed the 2023 edition of the Lagos event, he was scheduled to compete at the second edition of the Lagos event, which was held at the Molade Okoya-Thoma Hall at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, but he withdrew days before the tournament.
The Deputy President of the ITTF Africa and the Chairman of the LOC, Wahid Oshodi, explained that the player was preparing himself for the Olympics.
“He (Aruna Quadri) has been advised not to participate in WTT Contender Lagos, but the physio as a precautionary measure to avoid injury due to his body,” Mr. Oshodi said.
Aruna is currently preparing for the biggest event, which is the Olympics.
“He is 35 years old now, so he does not have much time remaining to win an Olympic medal. He is currently working hard with experienced Segun Toriola (head coach of the Nigerian table tennis team) in preparation for the upcoming Olympics.”
Joining Aruna in Bangkok is Canada’s Edward Ly, whose meteoric rise from beyond the top 300 to world No. 36 within a year is as inspiring as remarkable. Ly’s 2024 journey includes his WTT Champions debut, and he has continued his ascent in the rankings.

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CAFCC: Enyimba International In Pot 3 For Draws

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African soccer governing body has released the pots for the qualified teams for the group stage of the Confederation Cup, Tidesports sources reports.
Enyimba International is among the 16 qualified teams for the group stage of the competition.
The People’s Elephant was placed in pot 3 alongside ASJaaraf, CS Constantine; Bravos Do Maquils, Lunda Suliat, Orapa United, Black Bulls, and Stellenbosch. Pot 1 consists of Zamalek, RS Berkane, Simba SC, and USM Algers while Pot 2 has ASEC Mimosa, Stade Malien, Al Masry, and CS Sfaxien.

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AFCON 2025 Qualifiers : Super Eagles Host Libya, Oct 11

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria will host the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday three encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Friday, October 11.
The two teams will clash in a matchday four encounter at the Tripoli International Stadium four days later.
The Super Eagles started their qualifying campaign with a 3-0 home win against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.
The three-time African champions were held to 0-0 draw by the Amavubi of Rwanda in their second group game.The West Africans occupy top spot in Group D with four points from two games.
Libya are bottom of the group after amassing one point from two games.
Only the top teams in each group will advance to the tournament proper in Morocco beginning in December 2025.
Meanwhile, Libya has opted to host Group D leaders Nigeria at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Matchday 4 encounter. The facility is located in the city of Benina, some 19 kilometres outside the country’s second city, Benghazi.
Known previously as Hugo Chávez Stadium, the stadium is a 10,000-capacity facility with an artificial turf.
Both countries will do a Matchday 3 battle at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 11th October, before the clash in the city at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday, 15th October.
While the match in Uyo will kick off at 5pm, the battle in Benina will commence at 8pm Nigeria time.
Libya remain bottom of Group D after two rounds of matches, following a 1-1 at home to Rwanda (a game that was played at the Tripoli International Stadium) and a 1-2 loss to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan.
Nigeria tops the pool with four points, after a 3-0 spanking of Benin Republic in Uyo on Matchday 1 and a scoreless draw with Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali on Matchday 2.

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NYG: Kano Athletes Protest Over Allowances In Asaba

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Kano State athletes, who participated in the concluded 8th edition of the National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State, last Friday called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to address the issue of their poor camp allowances.
The athletes, speaking anonymously, expressed dissatisfaction with the daily allowance they received, claiming it was significantly lower than that of their counterparts from neighbouring Northwestern states.
“We were given less than N20,000 for ten days, while athletes from Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara received N50,000. Jigawa athletes were paid the highest, receiving N80,000,” one of the athletes said.
Despite the disparity in allowances, the athletes secured five gold, three silver, and one bronze in the competition.
They urged the governor to intervene and resolve the issue.
Also, the athletes commended the Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, for supporting other athletes representing the state in sports like football and basketball and hoped for similar support.
The objective of the National Youth Games, initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, is to promote unity, peace, and understanding among youths while addressing issues of restiveness and unemployment across the country.

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