RABAT, August 23, 2019 - With eyes focused on the ping-pong ball, and beads of sweat on his forehead, Egypt’s Table Tennis champion, Omar Assar, won 3-0 in the match against Congo at Moulay El Hassan Indoor Sports Center, in Rabat.
Despite being ranked 55th in the ITTF world rankings in 2016, and winning the 2018 Africa Table Tennis Cup, Omar Assar keeps focusing on the future and never gets cocky about his past achievements.
“I always try to improve by learning new skills and techniques, following my own ability. Only God knows what is going to happen in the future, but I am optimistic about it and will do my best to go as far as I can,” said Omar Assar.
Regarding his participation in the qualifying games for the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tokyo, Omar Assar stated that “the African Games are unique; they happen once every four years and offer you a wonderful opportunity to witness multiple disciplines and sports. However, we try to focus more on our performance and the team’s spirit, as well as having a great time here in Rabat”.
As Nigeria is considered the best Table Tennis team in Africa, Omar Assar strongly believes that beating them will be easy if he prepares himself and the Egyptian team well enough to win gold.
As there are ups and downs in life, facing problems is a must for Omar Assar. “You will not attain your objectives if you do not struggle and face present challenges. However, we thank God for those and must remain confident in his ability to achieve whatever he wants.”
It is clear that the 28-year-old holds the game of table tennis in high esteem. This love did not come from nowhere. In fact, Omar Assar, has a Table Tennis playing family. His dad used to play Table Tennis at a local level, while his uncle was a professional coach.
From an unknown Swedish Table Tennis club, to the French League, and then to Borussa Düsseldorf, a famous Table Tennis club in Germany. A journey that outlines the biggest changes in Omar Assar’s sporting career. It also proves the qualities and talent that Omar Assar has as a professional player. “He joined Borussa Düsseldorf and that means he plays well and very professionally; If he wasn’t that good, this famous table tennis club wouldn’t take him,” said Captain Majed Achour, the executive director of the national Egyptian team for 20 years.
On the other side, moving to one of the best table tennis clubs in Europe helped Omar Assar, the first Egyptian to win the African Games in 2011, improve his skills and playing techniques most impressively. “Hopefully, he can win the Gold Medal in this 12th edition of the African Games,” added the Captain Majed Achour.
While waiting for the upcoming matches, Omar Assar stays focused on his goal of trusting in God for whatever outcome.
