The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has announced a 10-member squad, predominantly featuring junior players, for the 2024 ITTF African Championships in Addis Ababa from October 12 to 19.
   The final list, released by the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), includes seasoned stars like Quadri Aruna, Olajide Omotayo, Ajoke Ojomu, and Fatimo Bello.

Joining them are promising young talents such as Matthew Kuti, Muiz Adegoke, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, Aishat Rabiu, Hope Udoaka, and Aziza Sezuo.
   Matthew Kuti, who made his senior debut at the 2023 African Games in Ghana and competed in the 2023 African Championships in Tunis is West Africa champion and he will be making his second appearance at the continental event. In contrast, Adegoke and Abdulfatai will debut at the African Championships after leading the men’s team to victory at the 2024 West Africa Regional Championships in Lome, Togo.

 Udoaka, West Africa women’s champion; Rabiu and Sezuo, products of NTTF’s grassroots efforts, will also make their first appearance at the African Championships.

These players featured in the maiden Daniel Ford tournament and they displayed exceptional skills to win the hearts of the national handlers.
 NTTF Vice President Adesoji Tayo explained that including junior players is part of the federation’s strategy to expose them to top-class competition early.
   “We decided a few years ago to unearth new players, and we are happy that some of these players are coming through. They represented the country at the regional tournament in Togo and competed against top players from the region.

“This is another opportunity for them to gain experience at the African Championships. We are not expecting too much from them because they still need to gain more confidence. They have experienced players like Aruna, Omotayo, Bello, and Ojomu to learn from. We hope they can hold their own against some of the best players in Africa,” Tayo said.
   Meanwhile, the Ethiopia Table Tennis Federation (ETTF) has promised an exciting tournament that blends culture and sport. ETTF President Tesfaye Bizane hopes to use the event to showcase Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage.

“Hosting the tournament after 24 years offers a unique chance to showcase Ethiopia’s cultural heritage and history, making the event more than just a sporting competition,” Bizane said.
   “Visitors can expect a warm welcome and vibrant cultural experience in Ethiopia. As the birthplace of coffee, they will have the opportunity to taste authentic coffee directly from its source. Guests can explore various attractions, including the National Museum, which houses a 3.2 million-year-old fossil, zoos, aquariums, the African Union Headquarters, and the Adwa Memorial Museum.

“This rich blend of history, culture, and hospitality promises a memorable experience,” Bizane added.

The Lagos State Government has endorsed Wahid Enitan Oshodi for the post of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) President.
He is the last person to occupy the position of Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development in the state.

Since his tenure, Lagos State has had a chairman for the sports commission.

 Oshodi is set to contest as the chieftain of the continental body at the 2024 Elective Annual General Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on October 15.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the government expressed its support for Oshodi’s candidacy, citing “his genuine passion for table tennis over the past decades”.
  Under Oshodi’s leadership as Commissioner, Lagos became a prominent destination for table tennis globally.
“We are backing him and wish him all the best. He is a worthy Lagosian who has encouraged many of our youths to take up the game as professionals. Besides, he has been at the forefront of our talent search. He has groomed many,” Omotoso quoted Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as saying.
Oshodi began his journey as the Chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association and became Commissioner in 2011 during Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration.
During his tenure as Commissioner, Lagos hosted the highly acclaimed National Sports Festival, ‘Eko 2012,’ and established itself as a key sports hub in Africa with the introduction of the International Sports Classics series.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted Oshodi’s rising profile in the world of table tennis, noting: “We are excited that Mr. Oshodi has continued to make Lagos and Nigeria proud with his impeccable record within and outside Africa. In 2021, he became a leading figure in world table tennis; he was elected Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and Deputy President of ATTF. We believe his election will positively impact table tennis and sports in general, and we are confident that Lagos will continue to be a leading city in table tennis in Africa.”
If elected, Oshodi will be the second Nigerian to hold the prestigious position, following the steps of Segun George, a former ATTF President. His election will also make him the only Nigerian heading a continental Sports Federation.

Women’s singles defending champion Dina Meshref has announced her decision to withdraw from the 2024 ITTF African Championships. She cited the need to recuperate from several tournaments and trips undertaken before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France.

Meshref, who is notably absent from the list of top players for the continental event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, remains optimistic about the Egyptian team’s chances. “I wanted a good break after the Olympic Games, so I withdrew a few days after returning home. I needed to free myself from any commitments and tournament preparations. I’ve been travelling extensively and training hard for years, and I needed at least a month to relax and make the right plans and decisions for the next stage of my career,” she explained.

Reflecting on her experience at the Paris Olympic Games, the six-time African champion described it as worthwhile. “I believe Team Egypt is very strong. Even in my absence, I am confident they can win several medals,” she said.

Meshref added, “Playing at the Paris Olympics was very enjoyable. I had a lot of fun with all the passionate spectators. Although I wished for a better draw in the round of 32, I am satisfied that I managed to play my best table tennis.”