Table Tennis
Junior Aruna Claims Silver in France, Continues Rise on WTT Youth Circuit
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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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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There were shocks and surprises on Thursday at the 6th Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Table Tennis Tournament in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State, as defending women’s singles champion Hope Udoaka crashed out in the round of 16.
Udoaka, who claimed the title in 2025, was stunned by unseeded Khadijat Okanlawon in a thrilling five-set encounter. The Oyo State-born player battled to a 3-2 victory (11-7, 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 6-11), setting the tone for a dramatic day of competition.
The surprises did not end there. Rising junior star Fumilayo Ojo delivered a commanding performance to eliminate second seed Sukurat Aiyelabegan in straight sets, 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-4), ensuring that a new women’s singles champion will be crowned at this year’s tournament.
While the women’s draw witnessed major upsets, the men’s top seeds maintained their dominance. Defending champion Abdulbasit Abdulfatai of Kwara survived a tough test against veteran David Fayele, edging through 3-2, while Akanbi Rilwan advanced comfortably into the quarterfinals.
The tournament, held at the newly constructed Idera Multi-Purpose Hall, has drawn over 200 players from across Nigeria competing for a ₦5 million prize pool, an increase from last year’s ₦3.5 million. The event continues to cement its status as one of the premier fixtures on the national sporting calendar.
Organised by the Osun State Table Tennis Association under the auspices of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and supported by the Michael and Felicia Alabi Foundation, this year’s edition features 14 events, including singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and veteran categories across U-15, men’s, and women’s competitions.
With the women’s field thrown wide open following Thursday’s upsets, fans are set for an exciting finale as the tournament concludes on Friday.
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Top seeds lived up to expectations as they cruised into the knockout stage of the 6th Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Table Tennis Tournament taking place in the historic town of Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.
Over 200 players drawn from across the country are battling for honours in the national championship, which offers a total prize pool of ₦5 million and continues to grow in stature as one of Nigeria’s leading table tennis events.
The competition has transformed Otan Ayegbaju into a lively centre of sporting activity, with dignitaries, athletes, and enthusiasts converging on the town for the week-long tournament.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Osun State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, urged participants to blend discipline with their talent while representing their states with pride. He also commended sponsor Ayodeji Alabi for sustaining the competition and encouraged other well-meaning Nigerians to invest in sports development as a means of addressing youth restiveness.
“Success is not only about being great athletes but also about character. Avoid doping and substances that can harm your future,” Adewusi cautioned.
On the table, defending men’s singles champion and top seed Abdulbasit Abdulfatai of Kwara fought hard to secure his place in the round of 16 after a challenging encounter. In the women’s category, top seed Hope Udoaka maintained her fine form to progress comfortably.
This year’s edition features 14 events, including singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and veterans’ categories, with competitions spanning U-15, men’s, and women’s divisions. The increase in prize money from ₦3.5 million to ₦5 million highlights the tournament’s rising profile.
Tournament referee John Peters praised the organisers and sponsor for providing a conducive environment for players and officials.
“The friendly atmosphere here allows players to relax after matches and build friendships, which ultimately improves their performance,” Peters noted.
The tournament is organised by the Osun State Table Tennis Association under the auspices of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, with support from the Michael and Felicia Alabi Foundation. Matches are being held at the newly constructed Idera Multi-Purpose Hall in Otan Ayegbaju.
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