Table Tennis
Nigeria’s table tennis sensation, Aruna stings Harimoto in WTT Champions Frankfurt
Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna electrified the Süwag Energie Arena with a remarkable performance on the opening day of the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2024.
Aruna, ranked 21st in the world, pulled off a stunning 3-2 comeback victory against Japan’s No. 5 seed, Tomokazu Harimoto, with scores of (7-11, 11-13, 11-5, 14-12, 11-3).
This victory marked Aruna’s significant win of the day, thrilling the German fans with what can be described as one of his best displays in recent times.
Despite Harimoto’s strong start, winning the first two games, Aruna’s resilience shone through.
He fought back fiercely, much to the admiration of the crowd, and forced a decider.
In the fifth and final game, Aruna played with immense confidence and freedom, dominating the fast exchanges and shifting the momentum firmly in his favour.
His powerful backhand at 10-3 sealed the match, earning him a place in the round of 16 and his second-ever match win at the WTT Champions level, following his first win in Montpellier last week.
Aruna’s never-say-die attitude and exceptional skill left the German fans cheering, as he continues to blaze a trail for African table tennis on the global stage.
Being their fifth meeting on the international stage, Harimoto had an edge with three wins, while Aruna had two victories.
In the round of 16, Aruna will face the winner between Spain’s Alvaro Robles and Germany’s Richardo Walther.
However, 2024 African Champion Omar Assar of Egypt failed to go beyond the first round of the Men’s Singles after losing to Sweden’s Anton Kallberg 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-3), while his compatriot, Dina Meshref, who returned to international action in Frankfurt after missing the continental tournament in Ethiopia last month, fell to China’s Chen Xingtong 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-3) in the Women’s Singles.
On Tuesday, November 4, the first African to reach the quarterfinal of the WTT Champions, Hana Goda of Egypt will take on tournament’s wildcard He Zhuojia in the first round of the Women’s Singles.
$500,000 is on the table, with the singles champions each coming away with $30,000 and 1000 ITTF Table Tennis World Ranking points.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praised the election of Wahid Enitan Oshodi as the 6th President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Tuesday.
Oshodi, a former Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development, was unanimously elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the continental body held at the African Union (AU) headquarters.
The meeting was attended by 40 member nations of the ATTF, making Oshodi the second Nigerian to lead the continental sports body after Segun George, who served from 1988 to 1996.
“We are indeed proud of a true Lagosian who has continued to put Nigeria and Lagos on the world map through his sheer ingenuity in sports.
“His rising profile within and outside the continent has not come as a surprise, as he has shown to be a reliable hand when it comes to sports development.
“His keen interest in youth development has helped to unearth several stars like Quadri Aruna and Olajide Omotayo.
“He is loved by the athletes and genuinely takes a special interest in their welfare. Since he left office as Commissioner, he has kept faith in sports, and this has been confirmed by his unanimous election in Addis Ababa,” said Governor Sanwo-Olu.
Sanwo-Olu also pledged the state’s support to Oshodi and called on other Nigerians to support their compatriot, who has continued to make the country proud with his international acceptance.
Oshodi’s journey in sports administration began in 2000 when he was appointed to the Lagos State Sports Council Governing Board under the administration of then-Governor Bola Tinubu.
He later became the Chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA).
Under Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration, he was appointed Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development in 2011, where he supervised the National Sports Festival, tagged: “Eko 2012”.
He was subsequently elected President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), where he brought vibrancy to the sport, unearthing international stars for the country.
Recognised by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Oshodi was appointed Chairman of its Nomination Committee.
In 2019, he was elected Deputy President of the ATTF, and in 2021, he topped the voting for the post of Executive Vice President of the ITTF, beating candidates from China and Europe.
His ingenuity in sports administration has made Nigeria a hub for table tennis.
With his election, Oshodi is currently the only Nigerian presiding over a continental sports body.
Table Tennis
President Tinubu congratulates Oshodi on election as president of African Table Tennis Federation
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.
“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.
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.
Nigeria’s Wahid Enitan Oshodi is the new Sherif in the African table tennis community having been unanimously elected as the president of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF).
His journey in sports administration started in 2000 when he was appointed into the Lagos State Sports Council Governing Board under the administration of Bola Tinubu who was then, the Lagos State governor.
He later became the chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA when Babatunde Fashola was Governor of Lagos State.
In the same dispensation, he was appointed as Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development in 2011, and he supervised the most exciting National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012.
Thereafter he was elected President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) where he brought vibrancy to the sport unearthing international stars like Quadri Aruna and Olajide Omotayo.
Oshodi was recognised by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) as he was appointed the chairman of its Nomination Committee.
In 2019, he was elected the Deputy President of ATTF and in 2021, he beat candidates from China and Europe to top the voting for the post of the Executive Vice President of ITTF.
His ingenuity in sports administration has made Nigeria one of the table tennis hubs in the world.
On October 15, 2024 at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa he was unanimously elected as the 6th President of ATTF.
With his election, Oshodi is the only Nigerian currently presiding over a continental sports body.
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