Mariam Aruna, daughter of Nigerian table tennis icon Quadri Aruna, is set to make her debut for Nigeria at the upcoming ITTF Africa Youth Championships, scheduled to run from Sunday, July 27 to Sunday, August 3 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
The 12-year-old rising star is part of Nigeria’s U-15 girls team, which also features Fatimoh Ahmed, Chinenye Okafor, and Aziza Sezuo.
The team will go head-to-head with players from 10 other nations, including powerhouses like Egypt, Tunisia, Uganda, and South Africa.
Mariam, who is coached by her mother, Ganiyat Aruna, gave fans a glimpse of her potential at the WTT Contender event in Lagos earlier this week.
She earned a convincing victory over Benin Republic’s Amady Stacy in Group 15, showcasing her technical ability and growing confidence on the international stage.
Despite a tough loss to fellow Nigerian Abosede Odusanya, which kept her from advancing to the main draw, her performance drew admiration.
Now, her focus shifts to the one-week continental youth championship, where she will be hoping to make her mark and continue her steady rise in the sport.
Earlier this year, Mariam and her siblings represented Nigeria at the João Monteiro Table Tennis Tournament in Portugal, where they all reached the podium.
Mariam finished second in the U-15 category, while her younger brother, Aruna Junior, claimed second place in the U-11 event.
Their sister, Amirah Aruna, secured third place in the same U-11 category, celebrating her first-ever table tennis trophy, a proud moment for the entire family, especially their mother and coach.
As anticipation builds for the ITTF Africa Youth Championships, all eyes will be on Mariam as she continues a legacy already rich in talent and determination, aiming to write her own chapter in Nigeria’s table tennis history.