Table Tennis
Toriola Explains Why Aruna’s Absence Affected Nigeria’s Performance In Busan –
There is no doubt that Nigeria is out of contention for a place in the knockout stage of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships taking place in Busan, South Korea, but handler of the team Segun Toriola has attributed the team’s early exit to the absence of their talisman Quadri Aruna.
Aruna withdrew from the tournament following the illness he had few days to the competition and his absence may have affected the fortunes of Nigeria in the Asian city of Busan.
“It is obvious that the absence of Aruna affected the team’s performance because being a top player, his presence alone would have motivated his teammates to do well.
“Even before our match against Japan was a walk-over , the technical crew of the Asian giant were fretting thinking that Aruna may pose a big challenge for them. Fortunately for them, Aruna withdrew for them to have an easy passage in the competition.
“Aruna no doubt is one of the most respected players in the world because of his quality and for me his presence in the team would mentally and psychologically help his teammates to do well.
“We lost to Madagascar because we don’t have him in the team because the Madagascans are a strong team and looking down on them will not be entertained,” Toriola admitted.
The former African champion who was named as the acting coach of the national team by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) said it is time that young players were exposed to top class competitions just like Tunisia and other African nations have been doing lately.
“We need to start exposing our young players to competitions of this magnitude so that they can learn from the likes of Aruna and Olajide Omotayo.
“This will boost their morale going into any competition just like what Tunisia has been doing lately. Other countries like Algeria now have quality players who had failed to make the French team and are now seeking success in their native country to be able to make it to the Olympic Games.
“We need to watch out for this kind of player and we must continue to support our young players in their quest to compete favourably with their foreign counterparts,” he added.
Nigeria will not participate in the 2026 African Table Tennis Championships in Morocco, marking the country’s first absence from the continental showpiece in recent history following its failure to feature in the qualifying Western Region Championships held in Conakry, Guinea.
The development comes as a major setback for Nigerian table tennis, which has long been regarded as one of Africa’s leading forces in the sport.
Nigeria had initially planned to send a four-man contingent comprising Matthew Kuti, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, Favour Ojo and Khadijat Okanlawon to the regional championships in Guinea. However, financial challenges forced the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) to withdraw from the tournament, thereby forfeiting its opportunity to qualify for the African Championships later this year in Morocco.
The federation’s financial difficulties were compounded by the costs of hosting an ongoing training camp for junior players at Babcock University in Ogun State, leaving insufficient resources to fund the Guinea trip.
Despite missing out on the regional qualifiers, the NTTF succeeded in sending four cadet players — Umar Ayoola, Habeeb Adebayo, Emmanuella Shaibu and Elizabeth Emenike — to Accra, Ghana, for the 2026 Africa Hopes Week and Challenge.
The federation is also expected to dispatch a 16-member squad, led by Matthew Kuti and Favour Ojo, to Ghana this weekend for the 2026 African Youth Championships and Cup (BRF Cup).
NTTF President Adesoji Tayo expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s inability to participate in the Conakry event, blaming the withdrawal on soaring travel costs and the absence of financial support from the National Sports Commission (NSC).
According to Tayo, the federation made every effort to ensure the team’s participation but was ultimately overwhelmed by the cost of air travel.
“In the last two weeks, our young players have been in camp preparing for the three events in Ghana and Guinea. With support from friends of table tennis and the management of Babcock University, we provided a conducive environment for training and ensured that the cadet players heading to Ghana departed last weekend,” Tayo said.
“Unfortunately, our request for NSC’s support for the Guinea trip was unsuccessful, and the prohibitive flight ticket prices forced us to withdraw. This competition also served as qualifiers for the 2026 African Championships in Morocco.”
While assuring that Nigeria will maintain a presence at the African Youth Championships in Ghana, Tayo acknowledged that missing the regional qualifiers could have far-reaching implications for the country’s international ambitions.
Beyond forfeiting a place at the African Championships, Nigeria’s absence from the Guinea tournament could negatively affect its pathway towards qualification for the 2027 World Table Tennis Championships.
The NTTF president also warned that the development could tarnish Nigeria’s standing as one of Africa’s traditional table tennis powerhouses, particularly at a time when several rival nations are investing heavily in the sport.
The absence from Morocco will therefore represent not only a competitive setback but also a symbolic blow for a nation that has produced some of Africa’s most celebrated table tennis stars and has consistently been a dominant force at continental competitions.
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Top table tennis nations, including Japan, the Republic, Germany and France, will headline the 2026 WTT Contender Lagos, which serves off from May 19 to 24 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
The Lagos tournament, regarded as one of the most colourful and energetic stops on the World Table Tennis (WTT) calendar, is one of only 10 events listed in the 2026 WTT Contender Series.
Players from Denmark, the United States, India, Portugal, Romania, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Belgium, Canada, Togo, the Netherlands, Ghana, Wales, Egypt, Italy, Chile, Slovenia and host nation Nigeria are also expected to compete for honours in the five-day tournament.
Anders Lind (DENMARK)
Competitors will battle for a share of the $100,000 prize money as interest in the Lagos event continues to grow among elite and emerging players attracted by the atmosphere and hospitality associated with the tournament.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Adesoji Tayo, said the competition has become a major platform for showcasing top-class table tennis in Africa.
“We are excited to host this prestigious event, one that not only highlights elite table tennis in Africa and beyond but also underscores Nigeria’s growing influence on the global sporting stage. Coming on the heels of the centenary anniversary of table tennis in London, Lagos is proud to welcome athletes eager to compete with passion and precision,” Tayo said.
He added that Lagos was fully prepared to host another memorable edition of the tournament.
“Nigeria’s commercial hub is prepared to deliver an unforgettable experience filled with energy, culture, and top-tier table tennis. As one of the most popular tournaments on the WTT calendar, the Contender Lagos continues to raise the bar in organisation and hospitality, offering athletes and fans a truly unique atmosphere,” he stated.
This year’s edition will witness the return of former champions alongside several highly rated players, further boosting the status of the Lagos tournament on the international circuit.
The WTT Contender Series is designed to bridge the gap between grassroots development and elite tournaments such as WTT Champions, while also offering players the opportunity to earn valuable ITTF World Ranking points.
Events to be contested in Lagos include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, as well as mixed doubles.
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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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