Two years after making his international debut for Egypt, El-Sayed Lashin made his first appearance at the African Games in Johannesburg, South Africa. The year was 1999. Lashin would go on to win three table tennis gold medals at the African Games between 2007 and 2011. As the 13th edition of the Games takes place in Accra, Ghana, the veteran Egyptian tells Sportsafricana.com why the African Games occupy a special place in his heart.
El-Sayed Lashin represented Egypt at several Continental Championships, African Games and the Olympics. He is a two-time winner of the Francophone Games and a triple champion of the African Cup. From 1996 to 2007, Lashin won nine gold medals in the African Championships.
Now retired from the Egyptian team but not from competing at club level, Lashin recalls with nostalgia his experience at several African Games, admitting that he misses competing at the continental multi-sports showpiece as the 13th edition starts next month in Accra, Ghana.
Apart from the medals he won at the African Games, Lashin has another equally significant reason why the Games are dear to his heart.
The Egyptian legend discloses: “The African Games have been the gateway to the Olympic Games for me. In my time, the African Games were the only way to qualify for the Olympics. Based on that, it was a very important tournament for me. Though it was always a hectic tournament, the ambience was always nice, maybe a little bit tense for players.”
Recalling his first outing at the African Games, Lashin says: “My first African Games was in Johannesburg in 1999. It remains a memorable debut for me because we had three days of cold and windy weather in South Africa. It was difficult to play under the weather conditions. We fought not just to play but to stay warm as well. It was a really amazing experience with too many matches to play.
“My three appearances at the Olympic Games were through the African Games. I have good memories of my unbelievable journey to the Olympics too.”
Lashin continues: “You cannot compare the African Games with other Games. While the level might not be too high in Africa, most organisers try their best to do everything to make the Games successful. But it is still not easy. I like the African Games and I have good memories of it.”
Lashin has faced many tough opponents at the African Games. However, he singles out the Nigerian legend, Segun Toriola, as his toughest adversary at the Games.
His words: “When I was playing at the African Games, the toughest opponent for me was Segun Toriola of Nigeria. Many times we clashed in the semis and finals, which were not easy. We both played very well in those days.
“I had my worst moment at the African Games with Nigeria’s Ojo Onaolapo when I lost the Olympic ticket to him. At that time, I was very good, having defeated him (Onaolapo) in the team event. In the singles, I did not play well and I lost to him. I still don’t know why even till today because I had a good preparation, good performance and it was all fine but I lost the Olympic ticket to the Nigerian,” Lashin recalls with a tinge of lamentation.
Having fought many table tennis duels with the Nigerian star, Lashin regards Toriola as his best player at the African Games: “Toriola is the best of the best. He has the best records at the African Games. It is not easy.
“We now have Omar Assar (of Egypt) and Quadri Aruna (of Nigeria) who also have very good records at the Games. But I think for me the best player remains Toriola, followed by the duo of Assar and Aruna.
“The likes of Assar and Aruna are hoping to break more grounds at the Games but it will be very difficult to have a seven-time Olympian like Toriola,” Lashin submits.
As another one takes place next month in Ghana, Lashin admits to missing the African Games, saying: “Of course, I miss competing at the international level. But I continue to compete in clubs internationally as a professional player, which is not bad at all for me.”