>
Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Nigerian table tennis star, Quadri Aruna, has launched a fiery attack on the World Table Tennis (WTT), questioning its practices after facing point deductions and an undisclosed fine.
The WTT, established in 2019 by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), organises commercialised table tennis tournaments.
Aruna’s frustration stems from the mandatory nature of these events, unpaid prize money, and what he perceives as unfair penalties
In a series of posts on his Instagram page on Tuesday, Aruna lambasted WTT over how the organisation has treated him.
“Why exactly must participation in World Table Tennis CHAMPIONS be mandatory when I have no paid contract with you?
“Why exactly do I have to leave my club that is paying me salary and play WTT EVENTS? Why exactly is this really mandatory?”he queried.
Aruna highlighted the financial strain the tournaments creates, especially considering the unpaid prize monies.
“I have a family to take care of and I have bills to pay monthly, why exactly do I have to be forced to play where I will not win money?
“Several prize monies are yet to be paid by WTT and yet forcing players to play.
“My prize money from cup finals, Doha star contender and Goa star contender and even Singapore prize money are yet to be received and why exactly I must leave my contract with my clubs and play WTT CHAMPIONS IN KOREA and lose my contract with my clubs?” the table tennis star lamented.
Aruna shared details of how he tried to compete in one of the World Championships but couldn’t due to illness and ended up being punished.
“I was supposed to travel to Korea, unfortunately, I was very sick with chronic diarrhoea for five days. Do I really need to die because I wanted to play?
“Nigeria did not have enough players due to financial reasons, so my name was always on the list. They also couldn’t participate in the junior championships for the same reason,” he said.
The Nigerian insisted that he was unfairly penalised by the WTT, saying: “My first sin is because I was sick with chronic diarrhoea, I was not able to participate in world championships in Korea and I could not get doctor’s report on time while on sick bed and my appeal was rejected.”
He raised the concern of racial bias and threatened legal action against the organisation.
“Is it because I’m Black, African, and Nigerian? I have worked so hard to be where I am today. I shouldn’t suffer for an offence I didn’t commit.
“If this judgement is not changed against me, we will definitely end up in court.
“I will never be a slave to WTT and play for bad prize money,” he added.
Aruna’s public outburst has divided opinions with some hailing his bravery while others suggested that there are better ways of resolving whatever issues he had with the WTT.