Table Tennis
Ranking Points and Cash Prizes Drive Intensity at WTT Contender Lagos
As the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos enters its second day of qualifying action, players from across the globe are not only chasing a share of the event’s impressive $100,000 prize pool but also competing for valuable ranking points that could reshape the international table tennis landscape.
Held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, the tournament has quickly established itself as Africa’s most dynamic stop on the WTT Contender Series, drawing top-tier talent and passionate crowds.
High Stakes: Points and Prestige
Winners in the Men’s and Women’s Singles events stand to gain 400 ranking points, a haul that could lead to significant movement in the global rankings. The runner-up will earn 280 points, while semi-finalists and quarter-finalists will receive 140 and 70 points, respectively.
The fierce competition on court is driven by both the financial and professional stakes, with players seeing Lagos as a crucial opportunity to bolster their rankings while claiming continental bragging rights.
Global Stars Eye Lagos Glory
Among the headline acts are Denmark’s Anders Lind and Japan’s Hina Hayata, both of whom enter the tournament as strong favourites.
Japan’s Hina Hayata
Hayata, 25, is making her Lagos debut and arrives with an impressive resume. A dominant force in the now-retired ITTF Challenge Series and a multiple-time WTT Contender champion, she is known for her lethal two-winged spin attack and is coached by veteran tactician Daisuka Ishida. Since her breakthrough at the 2021 WTT Star Contender in Doha, she has collected five WTT Contender titles and a WTT Star Contender crown. Now, she is aiming to add her first African WTT Contender title to her growing legacy.
On the men’s side, 13-time Danish national champion Anders Lind returns to Lagos with high expectations. A fan favourite in Nigeria, Lind thrives in the electrifying atmosphere generated by the local crowd. A runner-up at the 2025 WTT Contender Tunis, Lind has a decorated career that includes six singles titles and multiple doubles triumphs, and he sees Lagos as a key battleground in his campaign for global recognition.
Qualifiers Deliver Drama and Determination
The road to the main draw has already delivered moments of brilliance and high drama. While Day 1 of the qualifiers saw several early exits, Day 2—Wednesday, July 23—has brought heightened intensity, with players battling for the few remaining slots in the Singles main draws.
Nigerian players, buoyed by home support, have featured prominently in the qualifiers, joined by a host of African hopefuls seeking a breakthrough against elite international competition.
Doubles and Mixed Doubles Action Set to Begin
Attention is also turning to the Doubles and Mixed Doubles events, with first-round matches kicking off. Unseeded pairs will attempt to defy the odds and earn their place in the latter stages, where the tournament’s top teams await.
With ranking points, international prestige, and substantial prize money all on the line, WTT Contender Lagos is proving once again why it is one of the continent’s most anticipated table tennis events.
As the competition heats up, the stakes continue to rise—not just for titles, but for careers.
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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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