2011 All Africa Games bronze medallist, Aruna Quadri, will on January 17 in Budapest, Hungary, kick start his preparation for the 2012 London Olympic Games with participation in the first International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)-sanctioned Pro Tour - the Hungary Open.The Portugal-based player believes that preparation holds key to good outing at the Games, as 237 players across the globe will be taking part in the championship holding at Syma Hall in Budapest. According to Quadri, his participation was made possible following the new two-year deal he got with Germany-based kits manufacturing company, Joola.The Nigeria Civil Defence Corps officer was recently handed an improved two-year deal by Joola following his excellent performance in his first contract with the company. Quadri, who is ranked 237th in the world, was also adjudged the best player in the Portuguese Premier League after he helped his team, GDSR Os Toledos, to top the league with 21 points from seven matches.Quadri was considered the best player of the Portuguese League in the first half of the season after his unbeaten runs this season. He told journalists from his base in Portugal that the Hungary Open would help him get in top shape for the Olympics, while clamouring for more tournaments for Team Nigeria.'I am happy with the new contract given me by Joola, which will afford me the opportunity to do better in the next two years and improve my ranking,' he said. 'I am confident that I will surely get better offer in future from the company.'He added: In 2011, my performances were 60 per cent. I did great in my first season in the Portuguese League by helping my former team to come second in the league for the first time.'Also, my performance was not bad during the Africa Singles Cup in Morocco, where I finished third. At the 2011 All Africa Games in Mozambique, I did well by matching my words with action, which earned me the qualification for the 2012 London Olympic Games.'Now, 'I am looking forward to regaining my Africa Singles title, improving my world ranking and also performing beyond people's expectations at the London Olympics. I also want to win the Portuguese League title, which I narrowly lost last season.
Click here to read full news..