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Injury Heartbreak for Aruna Quadri! Nigerian Star Retires Against Egypt’s Elbeiali in ITTF Africa Championships Round of 16
Nigeria’s table tennis star Aruna Quadri suffered a heartbreaking exit from the 2026 ITTF Africa Senior Championships in Tangier, Morocco, after an injury forced him to retire during his men’s singles Round of 16 encounter against Egypt’s Mohamed Elbeiali.
Sports247 reports that the highly anticipated contest ended prematurely after Aruna, who had been battling his Egyptian opponent in a closely contested match, became unable to continue despite attempting to play through the discomfort.
The setback brought an unfortunate conclusion to the Nigerian’s campaign, ending his hopes of progressing to the quarterfinals. The encounter had been evenly balanced, with both players winning a game apiece before the injury disrupted proceedings.
With the match tied at 1-1 and the third game locked at 10-10, Aruna experienced physical discomfort that required medical attention. The Nigerian star requested a medical timeout before returning to the table in an attempt to continue the contest.
However, Elbeiali eventually secured the third game to establish a 2-1 advantage. Despite Aruna’s determination to remain competitive, the injury continued to affect his participation.
The Nigerian ultimately retired from the encounter, handing Elbeiali passage into the quarterfinals.
Aruna had entered the Round of 16 following victory over an Angolan opponent, keeping alive his ambition of challenging for another continental title. His meeting with Elbeiali represented an important test against a familiar Egyptian opponent.
However, the injury prevented the Nigerian from completing the contest and competing for a place among the tournament’s final eight players. The retirement was particularly disappointing considering how closely matched both players had been before the interruption.
The setback shifts attention towards Aruna’s recovery, with the extent of the injury yet to be established. For the experienced Nigerian international, regaining full fitness will be essential before returning to competitive action.
Aruna remains one of Nigeria’s most accomplished table tennis players, having represented the country at major international tournaments and established himself among Africa’s leading competitors.
His unexpected withdrawal represents a disappointing development for Nigerian table tennis supporters who had hoped to see him progress further in Tangier.
Although his campaign ended earlier than anticipated, Aruna’s determination to continue after receiving medical attention demonstrated his competitive spirit. The immediate priority will now be his recovery and a safe return to the table.
The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, APC-PCC, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has criticised those accusing the ruling party of failing to address insecurity, saying they did nothing to tackle the problem for over 20 years.
Yari made the remarks on Saturday during the APC presidential rally in Jos, Plateau State, while defending the administration of President Bola Tinubu against criticisms over its handling of insecurity.
"Those who are saying we don't have a plan for security, I want to remind them that they did nothing about insecurity for over 20 years because it started during their time," Yari said
The former governor of Zamfara State assured Nigerians that the APC would implement its manifesto, adding that the party expected to achieve almost all its promises by 2031.
Yari also expressed confidence in the APC's chances in Plateau State ahead of the 2027 general election.
He said political leaders and influential figures in the state had assured President Tinubu of their support.
Yari further praised Tinubu's leadership, particularly over the increase in revenue accruing to the Federation Account.
He recalled that the President inherited a federation account balance of N732 billion in June 2023, but said the figure had since risen to trillions of naira.
Those criticising APC on insecurity did nothing for 20 years – Yari
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has declared that it would not endorse any politician or political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of the League, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, made this declaration at the opening of a three-day conference organised by the League for Imams, Alfas, political office holders and traditional rulers.
The event, which took place in Ibadan on Saturday, was attended by Governor Seyi Makinde, President of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Abubakar, Alfa Agba of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulbari Adetunji, Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, Secretary General of the League, Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat and Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) Sheikh Hashim Atere and Professor Kamil Olosho.
Others are Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashir Abioye, Professor Amidu Sanni, Professor Adam Surajudeen and Iyalode Adini of Yorubaland, Alhaja Sedeekat Aderibigbe, alongside other notable Islamic clerics, scholars and Muslims from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos and Ondo states.
Abdullahi El-Ilory while speaking on behalf of the League, explained that the group cannot declare support or announce any politician or political party as its choice for the forthcoming general elections.
He explained that the only thing the League can do and is still doing is to pray to God to give Nigerians credible leaders that will make life more meaningful for the citizens.
Abdullahi El-Ilory said, "We are religious leaders, we are not politicians, but we are the fathers of politicians. We will not declare support for any political party or politicians.
"We the league of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland cannot declare support or announce our support for any politician or political party. We can only pray to God for Him to give us credible leaders."
Makinde, while addressing the gathering, urged Nigerians to see themselves as one.
He advised Muslim clerics not to allow people to use religion to cause confusion in the forthcoming general elections.
Kewulere, in his contribution, noted that the focus of clerics should be to guide the people and preach the religion of Islam.
He said, "We are not politicians. An Imam is not supposed to be involved in politics. Our focus should be to guide people and preach the religion of Islam in line with the Islamic principles."
Ishola, on his part, explained that the programme was organised in order to ensure unity and cooperation among Muslims in Yorubaland before, during and after the general elections.
2027: We won’t endorse any politician, political party – Yoruba Imams, Alfas
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