Table Tennis
AFTER CLAIMING 4TH PORTUGUESE TITLE, ARUNA QUADRI TO GET NEW KITS SPONSOR
There are strong indications that African Champion, Aruna Quadri of Nigeria will be parting ways with Joola for a new kits sponsor soon.
Quadri was signed by Joola in 2009 and the Nigerian has kept faith with the Germany-based firm.
From top 300 in the world ranking in 2009 when Joola decided to add the first African player into his fold, Quadri has improved the fortune of the firm in Africa with his rise to the top 23 in the world.
At present, Aruna Quadri remains the biggest super star in the fold of Joola ahead of top Asians and Europeans signed by the company.
Aruna Quadri’s popularity across the globe has also rubbed off on the fortune of Joola to become one of the top three kits firms in table tennis globally.
In few weeks, the waiting game may be over, as the Nigerian will be making known his new kits sponsor.
At the weekend in Portugal, Aruna Quadri and Bode Abiodum claimed the fourth national men’s table tennis title with Sporting after beating Sao Roque CD 3-0 in the second leg of the play-off final held at the Multipurpose Room of the Stadium of Alvalade in Lisbon.
Since joining the Lisbon-based team, Quadri has been making it to the podium in the Portuguese elite league alongside his compatriot – Abiodun and this becomes his fourth consecutive title with the Portuguese champion.
At the weekend, Quadri was in action for the team when they defeated their opponent 3-0 in the second leg played on Friday May 17 after a narrow 3-2 win in the first leg of the play-off final played on Wednesday May 14.
In the first leg Sporting beat CD São Roque (STAG) 3-2 in the first game of the Play-off Final of the Men’s National Championship of the 1st Division held in Madeira to have an edge going into the second leg.
The first leg lasted for more than three hours, with home team – CD Sao Rome could not get their rhythm in the doubles match involving Nuno Henriques and Tiago Li against Sporting Aruna Quadri and Diogo Carvalho as they were losing 2-0, but they recovered and ended up winning by 3-2 ((5-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-8 , 11-4), putting the result in 1-0 for the home team.
The singles match between Zhao Tianming and Aruna Quadri followed, with the Nigerian reaching a 3-1 ((12-10, 6-11, 3-11, 6-11) win.
Tiago Li, a junior player, and João Monteiro returned to play a very disputed game, the longest of the match, which was won by Tiago Li of Sao Roque 3-2 (8-11, 11-9, 11 -8, 9-11, 11-3) with the home team having an advantage in the meeting.
Diogo Carvalho tied the game with a 3-0 (6-11, 6-11, 10-12) win over Nuno Henriques and everything was decided in the last match between Zhao Tianming and João Monteiro. The Portuguese Olympian was not surprised and won 3-1 (9-11, 5-11, 11-9, 3-11), putting Sporting ahead in the Final.
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has elected Dr. Adesoji Tayo as its new president following the conclusion of the federation’s elective congress held in Abuja on Saturday, October 4.
Dr. Tayo, who previously served as Vice President of the federation, succeeds Ishaku Tikon, whose eight-year tenure came to an end after steering the affairs of Nigerian table tennis through two terms.
Chairman of the Oyo State Table Tennis Association, Dr. Tayo emerged unopposed after his main challenger, Khamisu Ahmed from Gombe State, stepped down and was subsequently named the new Vice President.
With his election, Dr. Tayo joins the growing ranks of passionate table tennis enthusiasts who have taken leadership roles in the sport’s administration.
He is expected to bring renewed energy and direction to the NTTF over the next four years, building on the developmental strides achieved under his predecessor.
The new leadership is anticipated to focus on grassroots development, international competitiveness, and strengthening state associations to sustain Nigeria’s rich legacy in the sport.
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Following his last outing at the 2023 ITTF World Championships in Durban, South Africa, Taiwo Mati makes a return to Nigeria’s national team as the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) announces a 10-man squad for the 2025 ITTF African Championships, scheduled to take place in Tunis, Tunisia, from October 12 to 19.
The continental event serves as a qualifier for the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships in London, United Kingdom—a landmark edition marking the centenary of the World Championships, which will return to the city where it all began in 1926.
Mati, who plays professionally in Europe, earned his spot after a strong performance at the 2025 West Regional Championships, where he finished among the top four, edging out Muiz Adegoke.
He joins a formidable lineup that includes Africa’s top-ranked player, Quadri Aruna; 2019 African Games gold medalist, Olajide Omotayo; two-time West African champion, Matthew Kuti; and rising talent Abdulbasit Abdulfatai.
Despite being one of Africa’s standout performers at Durban 2023, Mati had been absent from the national team for two years.
His semifinal finish at the regional tournament in Lagos last July marked a successful comeback for the left-handed star.
The women’s team features promising young players, including Favour Ojo, Aishat Rabiu, Kabirat Ayoola, and Sukurat Aiyelabegan. Veteran Ajoke Ojomu will lead the squad as captain in Tunis.
NTTF Vice President, Adesoji Tayo, emphasized the importance of early exposure for young athletes:
“We believe that exposing these young players to top-tier competitions will help them grow stronger and more confident. Competing against Africa’s best will prepare them to face global opponents. Most elite players began early, and we want our talents to follow that path.
With guidance from experienced coaches like Segun Toriola and Dotun Omoniyi, we’re optimistic they’ll gain valuable experience and deliver strong performances,” he said.
Top-performing teams in both the men’s and women’s categories will earn qualification for London 2026, the sport’s most prestigious stage.
In the men’s division, Nigeria and Egypt lead a competitive field that includes Tunisia, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Benin Republic, DR Congo, and Morocco.
The women’s competition will feature Egypt, Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana, Ethiopia, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Madagascar, DR Congo, Cameroon, South Africa, Angola, Algeria, and host nation Tunisia.
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Africa’s table tennis powerhouses, Nigeria and Egypt, will lead the charge for qualification to the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships in London, United Kingdom, as the continent’s top teams converge in Tunis, Tunisia, for the 2025 ITTF African Championships from October 12 to 19.
London 2026 marks a historic centenary celebration, returning the World Championships to the city where it all began in 1926. The Tunis tournament serves as the official African qualification event, with the top-performing men’s and women’s teams securing their place on the sport’s grandest stage.
In the men’s division, Nigeria—West Africa’s dominant force—and Egypt—the North African powerhouse—will be joined by Tunisia, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Benin Republic, DR Congo, and Morocco.
The women’s field features Egypt, Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana, Ethiopia, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Madagascar, DR Congo, Cameroon, South Africa, Angola, Algeria, and host nation Tunisia.
With London in sight, the battle for qualification will intensify during the final three days of the continental tournament, where all eyes will be on Nigeria and Egypt as they renew their storied rivalry.
According to the ITTF, London 2026 will feature 64 teams in both the men’s and women’s events—an expansion from the previous 40-team format. This growth reflects the global rise of table tennis and opens the door for more nations to compete at the highest level.
The tournament will unfold across two iconic London venues. The Copper Box Arena will host the opening rounds from April 28 to May 1, followed by the main draw at Wembley Arena from May 2 to 10, where the world’s elite will compete for the ultimate prize.
Each gender will see 64 teams divided into 16 groups of four, with round-robin matches determining progression. A key innovation in the format is the introduction of Stage 1a and Stage 1b:
Stage 1a features the top eight teams (seven highest-ranked plus host nation) split into two groups. All eight automatically advance, with group results determining seedings.
Stage 1b includes the remaining 56 teams across 14 groups. The 14 group winners and six best second-placed teams qualify directly. The remaining eight second-placed teams enter a preliminary knockout round, with four winners completing the 32-team main draw.
From the first serve at the Copper Box to the final point at Wembley, London 2026 promises to celebrate not only the present strength of global table tennis but also the remarkable journey that began in the same city a century ago.
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