The children of Nigerian table tennis icon, Quadri Aruna showcased their budding talent by securing podium finishes at the João Monteiro Table Tennis Tournament held over the weekend in Portugal.
While their father competed at the WTT Contender Doha, reaching the semi-finals, his children—Mariam, Aruna Junior, and Amirah made their mark at the tournament under the guidance of their mother and coach, Ganiyat Aruna.
Mariam Aruna claimed second place in the U-15 category, while Aruna Junior finished as runner-up in the U-11 category. Meanwhile, Amirah Aruna achieved third place in the U-11 category, earning her first-ever table tennis trophy to the delight of her mother and coach.
Reflecting on their achievements, Ganiyat Aruna shared her gratitude on Facebook: “It’s not easy. Since 7 am in the morning. Alhamdulillah, it all ended joyfully and with praises. All thanks to mum and dad. We are the Arunas. We go again tomorrow. All on God.”
The Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) also celebrated the siblings’ remarkable performance. “The Aruna siblings are keeping the table tennis legacy alive. The three youngsters proudly made the podium at the João Monteiro competition in Portugal, much to the delight of their coach and mother, Ganiyat,” the ATTF wrote on Instagram.
The Aruna family’s impressive performance further cements their status as a powerhouse in African table tennis.
