The city of Tunis in Tunisia will host the African Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the Tokyo 2020.

Tunisia was chosen ahead of Algeria during the 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) held in Rabat, Morocco on Saturday, August 25, 2019.

The thirteen delegates that formed the quorum at the AGM voted with Tunisia getting eight votes while Algeria got five votes to concede the hosting rights to Tunisia.

Egypt had already secured the sole slot for the team event for Africa after emerging victorious in the Team event at the 12th African Games which served as Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifiers. Two of its players are expected to compete in the singles and doubles event of the Tokyo Olympic Games while the qualifying tournament in Tunisia will produce another four male and four female players to complete Africa’s slots for the Games in Japan.

Nigeria narrowly lost the slot to Egypt in the men and women’s team event in the final of the 12th African Games with Egypt winning the two events with identical 3-2 scorelines as Omar Assar and Dina Meshref spearheaded the North African triumph.

African highest-ranked player, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri will be joined by players from Tunisia, Congo Brazzaville and others at the Qualifying Tournament in Tunisia and each nation is expected to register two men and two women for the qualifying tournament.

According to the President of Tunisia Table Tennis Federation (TTTF), Lotfi Guerfel, the country has the necessary experience to stage a befitting tournament.

“We have the required experience to stage a world-class tournament and the Olympic Qualifying Tournament would not be an exception. We will be hosting the Africa Top 16 Cup as well and we are ready to welcome the whole continent,” the TTTF boss said.

Madagascar is expected to host the 2020 Africa Cadet and Junior Championships while Cameroon will stage the African Senior Championships.