Nigeria Table Tennis Player, Aruna Quadri has expressed his frustration towards the World Table Tennis Organization with what he perceives as unjust and unacceptable after he was penalized for missing two major tournaments.
In a statement shared on his Facebook Page on Tuesday, Aruna condemned the “two ranking penalties in two consecutive months” along with a monetary fine, describing them as unjustifiable. He also highlighted his absence from the World Championships in Korea due to chronic diarrhea which prevented him from obtaining a timely doctor’s report.
Aruna’s appeal for understanding and leniency was reportedly rejected, leading him to believe that his African origin and nationality played a role in the decision. He urged the organization to be fair and transparent in their decision-making. The 35-year-old cited his commitment to representing his club, which pays him a salary, as a reason for missing the WTT Championship in Korea. Despite notifying them a month in advance about his club commitments, he faced penalties for this decision.
The Commonwealth Silver medallist raised concerns about discrimination based on nationality and race, emphasizing that being African, Nigerian, and a black player in the top 20 should not warrant such harsh treatment from WTT.
