The newly built Idera Multi-Purpose Hall in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State, played host to thrilling action as Rilwan Akanbi and Bisola Asaju emerged champions at the 6th Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Table Tennis Tournament.

Over five days, more than 200 players from across Nigeria competed fiercely for honours and a share of the ₦5 million prize pool, an increase from ₦3.5 million in the previous edition. Organised under the auspices of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and powered by the Michael and Felicia Alabi Foundation, the tournament continues to grow in stature as one of Nigeria’s premier table tennis events.

Akanbi’s road to the men’s singles title was defined by resilience and determination. He dethroned defending champion Abdulbasit Abdulfatai in a high-intensity semifinal clash before defeating Wasiu Azeez 4–2 in the final to claim the crown.

In the women’s singles, Asaju capitalised on a shifting competitive landscape to secure victory. She overcame Favour Ojo 4–2 in the final, following the early exit of reigning champion Hope Udoaka in the round of 16—a development that underscored the rising depth in the women’s game.

The junior categories also delivered standout performances. Chinenye Okafor dominated the girls’ U-15 final with a 3–0 victory over debutant Deborah Festus, whose impressive run to the final drew widespread admiration. Festus was particularly praised by Adesoji Tayo for her fearless display against more experienced opponents.

In the boys’ U-15 category, Umar Ayoola showcased his class with a commanding 3–0 win over Abdulateef Abdulsalam to secure the title.

At the closing ceremony, Tunde Popoola, Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, commended Ayodeji Alabi, chairman of the Osun State Table Tennis Association, for his dedication to sustaining the tournament. He urged participants to leverage the competition as a pathway to national team selection.

The event also paid tribute to a respected figure in Nigerian table tennis, John Peters, who recently turned 80. Recognised as Nigeria’s oldest international umpire, Peters continues to officiate at major competitions, symbolising an enduring commitment to the sport.

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Africa’s most decorated table tennis star, Dina Meshref, has been appointed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an Athlete Role Model for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), marking a significant milestone as Africa prepares to host its first Olympic event.

Meshref’s selection places her among an elite group of global sporting figures chosen to mentor young athletes at the Games, which will be staged in Senegal from October 31 to November 13, 2026.

The IOC, working in collaboration with international sports federations, unveiled a diverse list of role models drawn from the 25 competition sports and 10 engagement sports on the Dakar programme.

Among those named are Clarisse Agbegnenou (France, judo), Rayssa Leal (Brazil, skateboarding), Blessing Oborududu (Nigeria, wrestling), Jamila Lunkuse (Uganda, swimming), Douglas Brose (Brazil, karate), and Shiwei Zheng (China, badminton).

The Athlete Role Model initiative, introduced at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, is designed to provide young competitors with direct access to experienced Olympians.

At Dakar 2026, the selected athletes will mentor participants both on and off the field—attending training sessions, offering guidance during competition, and leading workshops on areas such as mental preparation, injury prevention, career planning, and life skills.

Reacting to the programme, Shiwei Zheng described her role as “a powerful extension” of her career, emphasising that true success goes beyond medals.

Other appointees, including Spain’s Asunción Batista and Senegal’s Combe Seck, also highlighted the opportunity to inspire and support the next generation of athletes.

IOC Athletes’ Department Director Kaveh Mehrabi underscored the importance of the initiative, noting that young athletes often look up to Olympians for direction and motivation.

“We have seen the incredible impact Athlete Role Models have had at previous Youth Olympic Games, and we believe these outstanding individuals will play a central role in Dakar,” he said.

For Africa, the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games represent a historic breakthrough, bringing together about 2,700 athletes aged 17 and under across three host zones—Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.

Meshref’s appointment is being celebrated as a proud moment for African table tennis and a testament to her enduring influence on the continent’s sporting landscape, as she prepares to inspire a new generation on home soil.

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Nigeria’s budding table tennis prospect Junior Aruna continued his impressive rise on the international stage, clinching a silver medal at the WTT Youth Contender Series in Metz, France, on Wednesday.

The young talent, son of Nigerian table tennis star Quadri Aruna, has quickly built a reputation as one of the sport’s most promising youngsters, adding the latest medal to an already growing collection.

His performance in France comes just days after a successful outing in Luxembourg, where he secured both silver and bronze medals under the guidance of his mother and coach, Ganiat Aruna.

Competing in both the boys’ U-11 and U-13 categories in Metz, Junior showed flashes of brilliance despite facing older opponents. While he fell short of progressing in the U-13 event, he delivered a standout performance in the U-11 division.

His journey to the podium began with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Brazil’s Rafael Suguimoto, before taking on French players Lyazid Idrissi and Nolan Lhuissier. In a closely contested encounter, Junior narrowly lost 2-3 to Idrissi, a result that denied him the gold medal. However, he bounced back strongly, defeating Lhuissier 3-0 to secure silver.

Reflecting on the outing, Ganiat described the experience as a valuable learning curve for her children.

“It was painful that he narrowly lost the gold medal, but it was a good experience competing against some of the best young players in the world,” she said.

She noted that the decision to expose Junior and his sister to international competitions is part of a long-term development plan.

“We want them to gain the experience they need for the future. It has not been easy combining coaching with caring for them during the trip, but I am proud of their progress and hopeful they can achieve more than we did,” she added.

Junior’s sister, Mariam Aruna, also showed promise at the tournament. The 13-year-old reached the top 32 in the girls’ U-15 category but did not advance to the main draw in the U-17 event.

With consistent podium finishes across European competitions, Junior Aruna is steadily carving out his own identity in the sport, following in the footsteps of his illustrious father while signaling a bright future for Nigerian table tennis.

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