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​ITTF Ranking: Aruna Quadri Overthrows Assar as Africa’s Best

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By Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, Abeokuta 

With just one point, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri has displaced Egypt’s Omar Assar as the best ranked African player in the world following the release of the July 2018 ITTF World Ranking.

The ranking which was released yesterday by the world table tennis ruling body has Quadri jumping two steps up to 20 rated player in the world.

The Nigerian was ranked 22 in June, but he has overtaken Assar, who dropped from 17 to 21 in the rating.

With 10234 points, Quadri took over from Assar who has 10233points in the latest ranking.

For the second time this year, Quadri will be breaking into the top 20 in the world having made the same spot in January 2018 – being the first to be achieved by a Nigerian.

For the first time in his career, China’s Fan Zhendong retained the number one spot in the world ranking for the fourth consecutive month.

However, for his compatriot – Ma Long, the reigning Olympic and World champion, it is a very different story; he drops from no.2 to no.6 and occupies what is for him is a most unusual position.

He is the fourth highest ranked player from the People’s Republic of China. Lin Gaoyuan climbs from no.5 to no.3; Xu Xin drops one place to no.6.

Differing fortunes for China’s leading players. It is the same for Germany. Timo Boll climbs two places and is now in the no.2 spot; Dimitrij Ovtcharov falls one rung down the ladder and now occupies the no.4 position.

Progress for Timo Boll and Lin Gaoyuan; it is the same for Korea Republic’s Lee Sangsu and Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto. Lee Sangsu advances one place to no.7, Tomokazu Harimoto, the winner on home soil at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Lion Japan Open, climbs two places to no.8.

The effect is that Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Ting falls from no.7 to no.9; Japan’s Koki Niwa drops three places to no.12. Sandwiched in between, Brazil’s Hugo Calderano and Frenchman Simon Gauzy both progress one step; Hugo Calderano is now at no.10, Simon Gauzy one position lower.

Higher listings but in the top 100 names, the most impressive progress is that made by Chinese Taipei’s Liao Cheng-Ting alongside China’s Zhou Yu and Zhang Jike.

Liao Cheng-Ting moves from no.46 to no.36, Zhou Yu from no.87 to no.63 and Zhang Jike from no.103 to no.76, as step by step he moves towards former glories.

Higher listings for Zhou Yu and Zhang Jike but for compatriot Fang Bo it is a move in the opposite direction; he drops from no.32 to no.46. Similarly it is a significant downward direction for Frenchman Tristan Flore, as it is for the Japanese duo of Masaki Yoshida and Yuya Oshima.

Masaki Yoshida falls from no.27 to no.40, Yuya Oshima from no.36 to no.50; Tristan Flore formerly at no.80 to the now occupying the no.95 spot.U

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The Queen Returns: Ogundele Rasheedat’s Golden Comeback Story

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The Queen Returns: Ogundele Rasheedat's Golden Comeback Story

The Queen Returns: Ogundele Rasheedat’s Golden Comeback Story

She conquered Port Harcourt in 2011. Dominated Lagos in 2012. Nearly reclaimed her throne in Delta in 2022. Now, Nigerian table tennis veteran, international umpire, ( Ogundele Rasheedat ) is back and she’s aiming for gold at the ongoing OGUN National Sports Festival Games 2025.
Representing Delta State, Rasheedat returns to the table with a bold mission: to reclaim her crown in the Women’s Singles category and complete her Sports Festival Games legacy with yet another gold medal.

The Queen Returns: Ogundele Rasheedat's Golden Comeback Story

“I’ve stood at the top before and I’m here for the gold again,” said Rasheedat confidently in an interview. “This is more than a competition. This is legacy, redemption, and proof that champions don’t fade, they evolve.”

Rasheedat is not your everyday athlete. She wears two hats like a boss, a decorated table tennis player and a certified international umpire. She’s been repping Nigeria not just as a competitor but also as an official on global stages. That’s rare.

Check out her record:

Gold Medal – Women’s Singles, Port Harcourt Festival Games (2011)

🥇 Gold Medal – Women’s Singles, Lagos Festival Games (2012)

🥈 Silver Medal – Women’s Singles, Delta Festival Games (2022)

This year in Abeokuta, she’s not just coming to participate, she’s writing the next chapter of her legacy. And fans are rooting for her all the way. She’s a living proof that you can be versatile, consistent, and elite. Her journey inspires not just players, but officials, fans, and the next generation.

So as the Festival Games heat up in Ogun 2025, all eyes are on the Queen of the Table. Watch out for her because she’s not done yet.

Follow her journey. Let’s show love, share her story, and support our own.

Follow her on socials:
Instagram: @its.rasheedah
TikTok: @its.rasheedah24

Hashtags:
#RasheedatReturns #GoldenComeback #OGUN2025Queen

Media Contact:
Feezyking Cr8 – PR Desk
Email: feezykingcr8@gmail.com
Phone: +234 703 853 1294

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Ogun Set to Host Most Ambitious National Sports Festival Yet – NSC Chairman

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Ogun Set to Host Most Ambitious National Sports Festival Yet – NSC Chairman*

_as NSC Affirms State’s Readiness Ahead of Gateway Games 2024_

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially confirmed that Ogun State is fully prepared to host the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, following a comprehensive inspection tour of competition venues, logistics hubs, and athlete accommodations across the state.

Led by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Commission’s delegation visited key facilities including the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Alake Sports Centre, Remo Stars Sports Complex, and Babcock University, which will serve as the athletes’ village for the Festival.

The Gateway Games 2024, scheduled to run from May 16 to 30, will bring together thousands of athletes and officials from across Nigeria, competing in more than 32 disciplines, making it one of the largest and most inclusive editions in the Festival’s history.

Speaking after the tour, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko expressed deep confidence in Ogun’s capacity to deliver a landmark event. According to him, “What I have seen here in Ogun is more than infrastructure. It is intent readiness, and ambition. Ogun is set to deliver a brilliant National Sports Festival that will raise the bar and define the standard for future games across Nigeria.”

Reaffirming the state’s commitment, Governor Dapo Abiodun assured the Commission and the Nigerian people of Ogun’s readiness to deliver a historic Games. “We consider it an honour and a responsibility to host this historic Festival. Every facility, every logistic, every detail has been prepared to showcase the best of Ogun and the promise of Nigeria. The Gateway Games will be a model of what’s possible when states align with national vision,” the Governor said.

As the lead agency for sports governance in Nigeria, the National Sports Commission continues to play a central role in coordinating nationwide sports development delivery, enforcing standards, and deepening synergy across all tiers of government. The success of the Gateway Games will serve as a blueprint for future sports development initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.

Ogun Set to Host Most Ambitious National Sports Festival Yet – NSC Chairman*

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Media Personality, J J Jabulani and siblings to celebrate mummy at 90

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Media Personality, J J Jabulani and siblings to celebrate mummy at 90

 

Media guru and highly respected on air personality, Jọlaoluwa Afọlabi famously known as J.J Jabulani is holding an elaborate 90th years birthday bash for his mummy, Mama Maria Ibipeju Afọlabi.

The birthday bash is holding on Friday, 25th April, 2025 at No 1 Ebute Road, Unity hall, opposite Indomie house, Lau junction, Ibafo, Ogun state. Many eminent personalities and media guys are expected to grace the epoch-making event.

Mama Ibipeju is a big business woman that trades on kolanut and gold in the 80s, she’s married to the popular pastor of the C&S church world wide Most Senior Apostle Samson Ọlayiwola Afọlabi of the revered Odofin compound in IREE town,Boripe local government of Osun state .

Mama is blessed with so many children among them is the ace broadcaster and media owner , Afolabi Jolaoluwa jabulani who is the last born of the nonagenarian.

Mama has great love and passion for gospel music spurred her interest in the usage of ‘SHEKERE’ in praising God till this moment and this singular act earned her the nick name (Iya Sekere)

Media Personality, J J Jabulani and siblings to celebrate mummy at 90

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