Table Tennis
TABLE TENNIS FESTIVAL TO IGNITE LAGOS SAYS WAHID OSHODI
The annual Seamaster ITTF Challenge Plus Nigeria Open has continued to attract world class players to the commercial never centre of Nigeria, Lagos in the last five years and this has made the tournament to be regarded as Africa’s elite table tennis championships.
With the upgrading of the tournament to Challenge Plus by the world table tennis ruling body, chairman of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the tournament, Wahid Oshodi believes the quality of players coming this year would surely ignite the tournament.
Particularly, with the hosting of the African Club Championships and Cup alongside the Seamaster ITTF Challenge Plus Nigeria Open, Oshodi says Nigerian fans are in for a super treat.
For Wahid Oshodi, table tennis has made Lagos the ‘official’ home of the sport in Africa particularly with the consistent staging of the Seamaster ITTF Challenge Plus Nigeria Open and this he said would continue to help local players to test their might against the world’s best.
“The knowledge and experience our home-based and young players gain from watching and playing against some of the best players in the world is invaluable.
“This in part makes up for the fact that our players lack the necessary exposure, which comes from travelling and playing on the circuit. We have been seeing the gains of staging the tournament in the good performances of our younger players on the Junior Circuit.
“We can see players like Olajide Omotayo, Tobi Falana and Nurudeen Hassan who have improved enough to gain entry into the senior national team.
“Also importantly thousands of passionate fans and recreational players get to see their heroes at close quarters, thus creating one of the most exciting events in our country,” Oshodi said.
The Chairman of the ITTF Nomination Committee however, acknowledged the challenges.
“There are various challenges in staging a tournament of this magnitude but some of the most critical include funding and infrastructural challenges.
“The tournament has grown in leaps and bounds since it was first conceived and that has led to a need for more funding and an upgrade in terms of the size of the hall and other facilities.
“The number of people working on the event also grows in tandem with the growth in number of the participants. We are very grateful to all the partners who keep supporting the growth of the event,” he added.
For 2019 edition, he said: “”We expect a lot more top players. The tournament is now an ITTF Challenge plus tournament.
“Lots more prize money $60,000 and the all important increased points which all the players are aiming to get in a bid for Olympic qualification.
“This year also with three tournaments preceding the Nigeria Open it will be a fantastic festival of top class table tennis. The Nigerian fans are in for a super treat.
“This year we have the ITTF Africa (Western Region) Singles Championships, the
Africa Clubs Championship and the Africa Singles Cup which is a qualifier for
the World Cup all coming up before the Nigeria Open.
“All packed into two weeks. From July 29 to August 11, we are assured of the best players on the continent and top players from all over the World. Omar Assar returns this year to try and claim the title from Aruna Quadri.
“A lot of sub plots going on. But importantly we have a top level training course for our umpires to be conducted by ITTF”s leading expert which will help improve their knowledge and also a training workshop for our young journalists to better assist them in reporting our sport. It’s a bumper packed fortnight,” Oshodi explained.
Giving an insight into the pedigree of players expected in 2019, Oshodi said:
“From the inquiries we have received so far we are expecting entries from the cream of World Table Tennis.
“Apart from the top players in Africa, we are expecting players from all over the world. We had 27 countries last year and we expect to beat that number this year by some margin.
“A lot of players ranked within the top 50 of World table tennis have indicated their interest. Once the prospectus is released in the next couple of weeks we expect the entries to flow in.”
Oshodi believes with the present form of African Champion, Aruna Quadri, he has the wherewithal to retain the Nigeria Open title.
“Aruna Quadri is getting back into good form after recovering from his hamstring injury which kept him out of the game for a bit.
“From his latest performances he is in good form and with the Nigerian fans right behind him and all the other Nigerian players he is capable of retaining the title.
“Last year was a real dream of a tournament for him. It will be tough though with the quality of players expected but you can never rule him out.
“Aruna is a class act and one of the biggest stars in the world. Playing at home before the ebullient Lagos fans you can fancy him against anybody in the world,” Oshodi enthused.
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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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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