Mariam Aruna Set for National Table Tennis Debut, Following Her Legendary Father’s Footsteps

Nigerian table tennis is witnessing a new dawn as 12-year-old Mariam Aruna prepares to make her highly anticipated national debut at the ITTF Africa Youth Championships, which begin Sunday, July 27, 2025, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. The youngster, daughter of celebrated table tennis icon Quadri Aruna, joins Nigeria’s U-15 girls’ team, ready to face contenders from 10 African countries, including heavyweights like Egypt, Tunisia, and South Africa.

Under the expert guidance of her mother and coach, Ganiyat Aruna—herself a distinguished former national player—Mariam has shown remarkable progress and dedication. Earlier this year, she clinched silver in the U-15 Girls’ category at Portugal’s João Monteiro Table Tennis Tournament, further cementing her status as a rapidly rising star. Her recent campaign at the WTT Contender in Lagos saw her claim victory in her opening match, adding to the growing excitement around her prospects.

Table tennis truly runs in the family: Mariam’s siblings, Quadri Junior and Amirah, have also made their mark on the international scene, earning silver and bronze medals, respectively, in their age groups in Portugal. Notably, her father Quadri Aruna, the first African to reach the Olympic singles quarter-final and a five-time ITTF Africa Cup champion, remains an inspirational presence both at home and within the sport.

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With the weight of two generations of excellence behind her, Mariam Aruna stands poised to shine on the continental stage, signaling the emergence of another star in Nigeria’s proud table tennis legacy.