Connect with us

Table Tennis

Quadri Aruna set African record at World Championships

blank

Published

on

blank

In his usual style, Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna has again set a new African record at the 2021 ITTF World Championships taking place in Houston, Texas, United States after the former ITTF World Player of the Year qualified to the round of 16 of the Men’s Singles as the first African to achieve the feat.

It was Egypt’s Omar Assar and Ahmed Saleh that had the best record at the global tournament in Africa having made it to the round of 32 but with the performance of the Nigeria in Houston, and the only African still competing in the Men’s Singles, Aruna inked new record after passing a litmus test against Indian Sathiyan Gnanasekaran.

Aruna earned his ticket to the Round of 16 following a breathtaking clash with the clever Indian star. Aruna and his opponent put everything into the encounter by exchanging explosive rallies throughout the contest.

Twice Gnanasekaran led, but the Nigerian caught up with and it was Aruna’s heart and desire that proved the difference in truly dramatic fashion. The 4-3 (11-9, 7-11, 13-15, 11-3, 4-11, 11-9, 11-7) win has again put Aruna on the history lane as the first African to reach the last 16 stage at the World Championships exceeding Egypt’s Omar Assar’s last 32 feat in 2019.

On Friday November 26, the Nigerian will face Sweden’s Kristian Karlsson for a place in the last eight (quarterfinal) of the championships.


In continuation of what happened on Day Two, fourth seed Chinese Taipei superstar Lin Yun-Ju crashed out of the Men’s Singles draw following a pulsating head-to-head against Republic of Korea’s Lim Jonghoon.

Lin Yun-Ju ranked 55 positions higher than his opponent in the world entered the tie as the clear favourite but never really got going on table four.

Trailing 2-0 and then 3-1, fourth seed Lin courageously recovered back-to-back games to level the score at 3-3. Lin then held a match point opportunity in the deciding game, but it was Lim Jonghoon who threw his arms in the air in celebration at the end of the match to win 4-3 (11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 13-11).

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Table Tennis

Abdulfatai, Udoaka top seedings for 2025 National Table Tennis Championships in Osun

blank

Published

on

blank

Africa’s men’s doubles champion, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, and top-ranked female player, Hope Udoaka, have emerged as the top seeds in the singles event of the 5th Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championships.

This prestigious tournament is currently underway in the historic town of Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.

blank

The event was officially declared open on Monday, April 28, by the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi, who participated in an exhibition match against former African champion, Saka Suraju. 

A former table tennis player himself, Adewusi praised the tournament’s sponsor—the Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Foundation, led by Ayodeji Alabi—for its unwavering commitment to the sport.

“I urge all players to take this tournament as an opportunity to display their talents,” Adewusi said. “However, talent must be complemented by discipline and hard work, as there are no shortcuts to success. I also challenge our female players to step up their game and see this platform as a chance to break into the national team.”

He expressed appreciation to the sponsors on behalf of the people of Osun State and Governor Ademola Adeleke for sustaining the championship in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Advertisement

Abdulfatai, who narrowly missed the national title to Matthew Kuti earlier this year, is determined to reclaim his spot on the national team. 

Udoaka, representing Cross River, will be aiming to unseat defending champion Sukurat Aiyelabegan of Kwara in the women’s singles.

Other top contenders in the Men’s Singles include defending champion Jamiu Ayanwale, Edo’s Amadi Omeh, Akinwale Fagbamila from Ondo, and Azeez Waisu of Oyo. 

In the Women’s Singles, Udoaka is joined by Aiyelabegan, Lagos-based Bose Odusanya, Aminat Fashola, and Bisola Asaju of Kwara on the list of seeded players.

Sanctioned by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and organised by the Osun State Table Tennis Association, the five-day tournament features over ₦11.5 million in prize money.

Advertisement

Participants from states including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Taraba, Nasarawa, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti, Katsina, Niger, Zamfara, and the host state, Osun, are competing. Clubs such as Aruna Sports Club, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Police Force are also in contention for top honours.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Continue Reading

Table Tennis

Ayanwale, Aiyelabegan set to defend titles at 2025 National Table Tennis Championships in Osun

blank

Published

on

blank

Defending champions Jamiu Ayanwale and Sukurat Aiyelabegan will begin their title defence on Monday, April 28, as the 5th edition of the Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championships kicks off in the historic town of Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.

Ayanwale, representing Rivers State, dominated the 2024 edition, showcasing exceptional skill and determination. He triumphed in the Men’s Singles, defeating Wasiu Azeez of Oyo State in a thrilling final.

Similarly, Kwara’s Aiyelabegan impressed by overcoming top contenders, including Lagos State champion Bose Odusanya, with a decisive 4-0 victory in the Women’s Singles final.

This year, Ayanwale will face stiff competition from players like Omah Amadi, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, and Akinwale Fagbamila in the Men’s Singles.

Meanwhile, Aiyelabegan, known for her unique pimples style, will contend with familiar rivals such as Odusanya, Aminat Fashola, and Bisola Asaju in the Women’s Singles.

Advertisement

With over 50 teams from states and clubs across Nigeria confirmed for this year’s edition, the singles events are expected to draw significant attention. The tournament promises a blend of table tennis and entertainment, with the newly built Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Table Tennis Hall set to host the action.

From April 28 to May 2, players from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Taraba, Nasarawa, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti, Katsina, Niger, Zamfara, and the host state, Osun, as well as clubs like Aruna Sports Club, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Nigeria Police Force, will compete for honours in the five-day tournament with a prize pool of N11.5 million.

Adding to the excitement, the tournament will feature daily performances by various artists, ensuring a vibrant atmosphere.

Events will include men’s singles, women’s singles, U-15 boys’ and girls’ singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, veteran singles, para men’s singles open, para women’s singles open, deaf men’s singles, deaf women’s singles, and local singles.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Table Tennis

Fifty states, clubs listed for the 2025 National Table Tennis Championships in Osun

blank

Published

on

blank

Otan Ayegbaju, a historic town in Southwestern Nigeria, will host 50 teams from states and clubs across the country for the 5th edition of the Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championships in Osun State.

The tournament, sponsored by the Michael and Felicia Alabi Foundation and organised by the Osun State Table Tennis Association under the auspices of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), will take place at Idera Multi-Purpose Hall in Otan Ayegbaju from April 27 to May 3, 2025.

Participating teams will come from various states including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Taraba, Nasarawa, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti, Katsina, Niger, Zamfara, and the host state, Osun. Expected clubs include Aruna Sports Club, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Nigeria Police Force.

With over ₦11.5 million at stake, the one-week tournament will take place at the newly built Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Table Tennis Hall.

Ayodeji Alabi, chairman of the Osun State Table Tennis Association, stated that the tournament aims to complement the federation’s efforts to discover new talent and empower youth across the country.

Advertisement

To enhance this year’s edition, the tournament promises a blend of sports and entertainment, with several artists scheduled to perform daily.

Alabi, a member of the ITTF Africa Committee, assured that all participants would be accommodated and fed throughout the event to motivate them to perform their best.

“Whoever comes to this tournament will take home a lot of happiness because we have an entertainment lounge featuring many artists. After the games, there will be comedy shows, music performances, and well-known disc jockeys. We are creating a diverse entertainment portfolio for everyone attending,” Alabi said.

Additionally, para and deaf events will be part of this year’s edition, with athletes competing in various categories including men’s singles, women’s singles, U-15 boys’ and girls’ singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, veteran singles, para men’s singles open, para women’s singles open, deaf men’s singles, deaf women’s singles, and local singles.

“This year, we expect about 400 to 450 participants, and we will house and feed them free of charge. This year’s tournament is different because we have created an environment where participants will sleep and eat well,” Alabi added.

Advertisement

 Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Continue Reading

Most Viewed