By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-01-17 03:02:07
The 2024 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships (WTTC) draw has been unveiled, revealing that Africa’s table tennis powerhouses, Nigeria and Egypt, are set to face challenging opponents in both the men’s and women’s events. The tournament is set to take place in Busan, South Korea, from February 16 to 25, marking the first time the event will be hosted by Korea Republic.
Nigeria’s men’s team has been drawn into Group 5, where they will compete against formidable opponents such as Japan, Chinese Taipei, Czech Republic, and Madagascar. On the other hand, the women’s team will have to contend with Germany, Slovakia, Poland, and Mexico in Group 3. The top eight teams from the tournament will secure automatic qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, adding even more pressure to the competition.
As for Egypt, the men’s team is placed in Group 8 and will face off against Portugal, Romania, Iran, and Thailand. Their women’s team will also compete in Group 8, where they will face European powerhouses such as France, Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Croatia. Algeria, with their men’s and women’s teams in Group 4, and South Africa, in Group 2 of the women’s event, are also set to bring strong competition to the tournament.
The defending champions, China, are placed in the top-seeded positions for both the men’s and women’s team events. The Chinese women’s team, led by World No.1 Sun Yingsha, is aiming for their 23rd title in the event, making them the favorites to claim victory once again. However, Hungary, with a rich history of medalling in the championships, will provide strong competition for Team China in Group 1.
The stage is set for an exciting and highly competitive tournament, with teams from across the globe vying for the prestigious title. With Africa’s powerhouses placed in challenging groups, the tournament promises intense battles and thrilling matches as the best table tennis talent in the world comes together in Busan. The anticipation for the event is high, and fans can expect to witness top-level competition as the teams compete for a coveted spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
