Fatimo Bello, a rising star in Nigerian table tennis, has secured her spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination.
The 27-year-old, who openly expressed her Olympic ambitions ahead of the continental qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda, has now achieved her goal despite a challenging journey.
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Before her qualification, Bello faced setbacks, notably her disappointing performance at the 2023 African Games in Ghana.
However, her confidence never wavered. Known for her tenacity, Bello has twice claimed the National Sports Festival title, triumphing in Edo 2021 and Delta 2023.
It was in Kigali that she clinched one of the four coveted slots for the Olympics, defeating Algeria’s Lynda Loghraibi in a decisive match.
Bello’s path to Paris has been marked by perseverance. She rose to prominence with an outstanding showing at the 2022 ITTF Africa Cup, where her performance elevated her to the highest-ranked Nigerian female table tennis player globally.
Although a period of inactivity led to a dip in her ranking in 2023, she fought back to secure her Olympic berth.
Reflecting on her journey, Bello, currently ranked 143rd in the world, spoke about her deep passion for the sport and the honour of representing Nigeria.
“When people talked about the Olympic Games, it wasn’t initially why I started playing table tennis. I was driven by my love for the game and the encouragement from my father and brother,” she shared.
Even during her struggles at the African Games, Bello never doubted her capabilities. “Being part of the Nigerian national team is a rare privilege, especially in a country with millions of players.
I knew that making the team and going to Kigali would give me a chance to qualify for the Olympics,” she said.
As she prepares for her Olympic debut, Bello is focused on making a significant impact. She values the support and advice from senior players and is determined to compete fiercely against the world’s best.
“I’m not just going to the Olympics to add to the numbers; I’m going to make an impact,” Fatimo Bello asserted.
Her journey to the Olympics exemplifies resilience and a relentless pursuit of excellence, and she aims to make Nigeria proud on the global stage in Paris 2024
