Other sports get no attention, like football – Aruna Quadri

Tell us about your achievement so far?

In 2014 i made a historic jump in ranking, zipping from number  231 on the Men’s World Rankings to number 30 in just  nine months. This astonishing change in ranking was a result of his performance in the LIEBHERR 2014 Men’s World Cup. On his way to the quarterfinals, the charismatic Nigerian beat world number 27 Kenta MATSUDAIRA (JPN), world number 37 Alexander SHIBAEV (RUS) and world number 16 TANG Peng (HKG) to announce himself as a force to reckoned with on the world stage. 2015 saw yet another great achievement for me  as he won the ITTF’s Star Male player of the year award.

Tell a bit about yourself and how you meet your wife?

I am Aruna Quadri ,i attended Oba Adeyemi High School Oyo, Nigeria where i met  my  wife Ganiat (who is also a professional table tennis player). The young couple currently lives in Portugal and are parents to three  kids.I  and my wife attended the Atlantic International University where she holds a degree in Social and Human Studies and he in Homeland Security and Management. Off the table Quadri’s favorite past time includes listening to music and playing Candy Crush.I am  a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. In 2007, i was invited to join the Nigerian national team after winning a series of national tournaments. I bursted on to the international scene by winning Gold at the 2009 African Senior’s Cup in the Moroccan capital city Rabat.

Why did you say only football is given all the attention?

Similarly no others sports are giving attention apart from football.Seems nothing will change in our country. So I am like if I don’t get support or sponsors from Nigeria. Nobody cares in Nigeria, if not they would have given small attention to other sports.For example, they have about 7.6billion and for sports this year and almost all will be spent on football and what about other sports. and not so sure they will qualify. Even there was a day they sent message indirectly to me not talk to media anyone if I will always abuse ministry and it’s staffs .

What  are you up to at the moment?

Playing India league after Morocco tournament.

Do you think media are not doing enough?

Media did several great works, people in power some of them are thiefs if not all.

How can you rate Nigeria in table tennis so far?

They are all supporting football because they have good chance to steal money there, table tennis is not bad in Nigeria it can get better if needed support is giving to the sportd.

Who have really influenced you in the game so far?

Former President of nttf, barrister enitan oshodi. I play just table tennis, others I don’t do because it will surely change my rhythm.

How long have you been into this game?

I have been playing Tanle Tennis for twenty one years now, I started at the age of seven.

ALSO SEE: Quadri, others begin quest for honours at ultimate championships in India

How has it been so far?

Not too bad, there have been ups and downs, we win some and loose some but thank God so far.

When was your most memorable game?

Rio Olympic games when I got to quarter final.

When was your most challenging game?

Most challenging so far was when I played in French league for two years because all matches was like 50 50 chances of winning. so you never know if you win or loose.

Who is your biggest rival in tennis?

Every player is a rival to me.

Do you think our minister of sports is doing his best for the game?

He is minister of football. He is not doing his best.

Which country is your best you have gone for competition so far?

Rio de Janeiro.

What do you think,he can do different?

There are alot of things he can do better but he will never do it as he only want football because of money in it.