The defeat in the final of the 2016 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) African Championship in Agadir, Morocco last October is still fresh in the memory of Dina Meshref and with the staging of the 2017 ITTF African Cup at same venue, the 2015 African Games champion is indeed bracing up for the oppositions from Nigeria and others.
The championship will hold from Saturday, July 8 to Monday, July 10.
“I know that the competition in Agadir, Morocco would be tough with a lot of worthy competitors. I am re-checking all my weaknesses that led to the defeat in October, and I am working hard in avoiding them again this time whether I play against Olufunke Oshonaike or any other player,” the women singles defending champion said.
Messref is shaping up with three-week training. “I think I had a good three-week period to practice and prepare for the tournament, also, I believe the matches at the World Championships in Düsseldorf were good to prepare me for Morocco.”
Acknowledging the qualities of Nigerian players, she admitted: “The challenge will be from my teammates and the Nigerian players. I hope I can win the African Cup and qualify to the World Cup this year. It’s always great to represent Egypt at a prestigious event such as the World Cup.