The BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, is set to make history as it prepares to host two prestigious table tennis tournaments—the African Cup and the Olympics Qualification Tournament—from May 12th to 18th, 2024. With a seating capacity of 10,000, the BK Arena is the largest indoor arena in East Africa, and this event marks the first time a table tennis tournament of this scale will be held indoors.
The tournaments promise an exhilarating showcase of talent, with top table tennis players from across the continent competing for glory and coveted tickets to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France. Khaled El-Salhy, President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), expressed confidence in the Rwanda Table Tennis Association (RTTA) to deliver a world-class event.
Rwanda’s successful bid presentation at the 2023 ITTF-Africa AGM in Tunisia secured the hosting rights for these prestigious tournaments. El-Salhy highlighted Rwanda’s ambition to promote table tennis in East Africa and its ability to meet all the requirements set by the ITTF and ATTF for professional organization.
The RTTA’s experience in hosting regional tournaments positions them well to organize a successful event on a continental scale. El-Salhy anticipates thrilling competitions, particularly in the Olympic Qualification Tournament, expressing confidence in the high level of competition.
The ATTF has been closely monitoring the preparations in Kigali and is committed to providing the necessary support to ensure the success of these significant tournaments. With players working hard to qualify for the Olympic Games, the African representation in Paris aims for better performance and results than in previous Olympic Games.
