Quadri Aruna’s Daughter Mariam to Make National Debut at Africa Youth Championships

Mariam Aruna, daughter of Nigerian table tennis ace Quadri Aruna, is set to represent Nigeria for the first time at the 2024 ITTF Africa Youth Championships, scheduled to hold from July 27 to August 3 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Sport360NG reports.

The 12-year-old prodigy has been named in the country’s U-15 girls’ squad, which also features Fatimoh Ahmed, Chinenye Okafor, and Aziza Sezuo. The Nigerian team will compete against top young talents from 10 other African nations, including Egypt, Tunisia, Uganda, and South Africa.

Mariam, who is coached by her mother, former national player Ganiyat Aruna, made her first appearance at a WTT Contender event on Wednesday in Lagos. She recorded a promising win over Benin Republic’s Amady Stacy in Group 15, though an earlier loss to fellow Nigerian Abosede Odusanya meant she missed out on advancing to the main draw.

With her focus now on the upcoming continental championship, Mariam will be aiming to make a strong impression in front of home fans.

Earlier in the year, the Aruna siblings showcased their talent at the João Monteiro Table Tennis Tournament in Portugal. Mariam clinched second place in the U-15 category, while her brother Aruna Junior also finished runner-up in the U-11 division. Their younger sister, Amirah, secured third place in the U-11 category, her first-ever table tennis medal, much to the pride of their mother and coach.