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Table Tennis

President Tinubu congratulates Oshodi on election as president of African Table Tennis Federation

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President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Wahid Enitan Oshodi on his election as President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF).

Oshodi, the Deputy President of ATTF and former Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, was elected at the organisation’s elective annual general meeting on Tuesday, October 15, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The President notes that Oshodi’s election is a proud moment for Nigeria, reflecting the strong support he garnered in the lead-up.

He was nominated by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and backed by several African nations, indicating the country’s unwavering support for its sports leaders.

According to Tinubu,  Oshodi’s election is also a vote of confidence in a seasoned sports administrator who has committed his time, energy, and resources to develop table tennis at the grassroots level and demonstrated his integrity, accountability, and dedication in carrying out his responsibilities.

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“His commitment inspires all sports enthusiasts and is a hopeful sign for the future of table tennis”, the president remarked in a press release signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to President Tinubu, Oshodi will bring his extensive leadership experience to elevate ATTF and the sport to the next level of success across the continent.

Oshodi was a former President of NTTF, a member of the Board of Directors for the Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation (CTTF) and the current Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Oshodi’s distinguished career in sports administration began in 2000 when he was appointed to the Lagos State Sports Council Governing Board by then-Governor Bola Tinubu.

While serving as chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA), Oshodi was appointed in 2011 by Governor Babatunde Fashola as Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development. As commissioner, he oversaw the highly successful National Sports Festival, tagged “Eko 2012,” which further cemented his reputation for excellence in sports management.

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While applauding Oshodi’s passion and commitment toward advancing table tennis at the local, national and continent levels, the Nigerian leader assures him of the country’s continued goodwill and necessary support to succeed in his new role.

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.

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Table Tennis

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

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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Cameroonian refugee to represent Nigeria at World Table Tennis Day 2025

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Solange Ngonda Tibesa, an Ogoja-based Cameroonian refugee, will be representing Nigeria at the fifth edition of the World Table Tennis Day 2025 event.

The WTTD 2025 is an event that is supported by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) to promote the development of the game of table tennis at the grassroots level all over the world.

According to the ITTF, “Thirty promoters were selected for World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) 2025.

“Representing 27 countries and territories across all five continents. These passionate individuals will play a pivotal role in uniting communities and sharing the joy of table tennis on 23rd April 2025.”

A record 160 persons applied to be considered as WTTD 2025 promoters, out of which Solange and 29 other applicants from 27 countries and five continents applied to be considered.

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Furthermore, the ITTF stated that they will provide Solange and the other promoters with financial assistance, capacity-building resources, and personalised guidance to align their initiatives with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the theme of diversity and inclusion.

Solange, who is currently a full-time staff member of Save the Children, is also a trained netball coach who supervises the compulsory twice-a-week training of the more than thirty netballers who are based at the Adagom 3 refugee camp.

During a telephone interview with our reporter, Solange stated that on 23rd April 2025, she and the Ogoja refugees table tennis organising committee hope to hold the event in the Adagom 1, Adagom 3 and Ukende camps.

 Over one thousand persons are expected to attend this event in the three separate refugee camps. The event will be spiced up with a table tennis challenge, live music, health and well-being talks, and some light refreshments for the spectators.

Furthermore, Solange stated: “As an experienced community worker, I know the important role sports can play in bringing people together and giving them the opportunities to compete with each other under set rules, in a respectful manner. I am also aware that sports could be used to empower and provide psychosocial support to vulnerable persons, including the physically challenged.

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“We hope to use the game of table tennis to reach out to my fellow Cameroonians and members of our host community in Ogoja.”

Finally, Solange commended the CSED (Community Sports and Educational Development) Initiative for bringing the WTTD 2025 grant advertisement to her attention and encouraging her to apply for WTTD 2025.

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