African Table Tennis Federation (ITTF-Africa) has entered into a Strategic Quadrennial Agreement (SQA) with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) for the period 2025 to 2028. This partnership underscores a unified commitment to advancing table tennis in the continent of Africa.

The agreement, which promises enhanced funding, outlines collaborative efforts between ITTF Africa and ITTF to promote and develop table tennis in Africa.

The signing ceremony took place in Chengdu, China, with ITTF Africa President Wahid Enitan Oshodi and ITTF President Petra Sörling in attendance.

After formalizing the agreements, Oshodi stated, “The objectives outlined in the SQA align with the new vision and direction of ITTF Africa under my leadership. We will work closely with the ITTF to ensure these objectives are fully achieved in Africa.”

Sörling added, “The Strategic Quadrennial Agreement marks a pivotal moment for our global table tennis family. By aligning our efforts and resources with the unique needs and aspirations of Africa and its member associations, we can elevate the sport to new heights.

These agreements reflect our shared vision for excellence, development, and inclusivity in every corner of the world.”

The agreement aims to streamline cooperation between ITTF Africa and ITTF, focusing on key areas such as enhancing continental events to attract greater participation and visibility,

promoting grassroots development to nurture the next generation of talents, advancing the commercialization and professionalization of table tennis activities, fostering sustainability through environmentally conscious practices, strengthening governance structures for greater efficiency and accountability, and expanding social responsibility initiatives using table tennis as a tool for positive change.

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Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub, is set to come alive as the best youth table tennis stars gather for the second edition of the Daniel Ford Elite Youth Invitational Championships.

The event is scheduled from December 18 to 21 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Organized by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and funded by UK-based Daniel Ford International, this year’s edition promises to be even more exciting.

Participants will undergo a two-day clinic led by national coaches, including Dotun Omoniyi, to prepare for the tournament, which kicks-off on Friday, December 20, with qualifiers in the U-15 and U-19 categories.

Adesoji Tayo, Vice President of NTTF, highlighted the success of the inaugural edition, which inspired the sponsor to continue their support and include the clinic. “We are grateful to Daniel Ford International for their continued sponsorship, especially with the addition of the clinic to help players prepare for the main event. The clinic will update players on the latest techniques and allow them to test their skills against their peers before the tournament begins. We are excited that some participants from the first edition have made it to the national team and represented Nigeria in major tournaments like the African Championships and Games. We hope to see more talent emerge this year,” he said.

This year’s U-19 title battle will feature national team stars Matthew Kuti, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, and Muiz Adegoke.

In the U-15 division, 32 players (16 boys and 16 girls) have been invited to compete. The U-19 category promises to be thrilling, with many national team stars in action at this two-day event, which also serves as the federation’s end-of-year tournament.

For the system of play, the invited players will be drawn into four groups of 4 or 5 players, each with round-robin matches within each group. Two players from each group will qualify for the knockout stage quarterfinals.

Hosts Nigeria and Iraq each claimed six gold medals, dominating the 2024 Lagos Valuejet Para Table Tennis Open, which concluded on Saturday, November 9, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

The ITTF Factor 20 tournament, held from November 7 to 9, featured competitors from the United Kingdom, Iraq, Iran, Cameroon, Togo, Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria, participating in both singles and doubles events. Organized by the Sunday Odebode Foundation in collaboration with the Para Division of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and sponsored by ValueJet, this year’s tournament exceeded expectations.

Despite Nigeria’s strong performance throughout the tournament, the final day saw the visiting Iraqi team take center stage. The highlight was Muntadher Al Sarraji’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Paris 2024 Paralympic Games bronze medalist Isau Ogunkunle in the Men’s Singles Class 3-4 final. The match, witnessed by African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) President Wahid Enitan Oshodi, Deputy Alfred Bagueka, and Chairman of ValueJet Airlines Kunle Soname, ended with Al Sarraji silencing the home crowd with a 13-11 win in the deciding game.

In total, Nigeria and Iraq each secured six gold medals from the 12 events contested. The organizers have promised an even bigger tournament next year.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised the athletes for their remarkable performances and pledged continued support for the tournament and its participants. “Our athletes continue to break boundaries, proving that physical limitations cannot constrain the boundless potential within each individual. This tournament is not only a celebration of skill and competition but also an inspiring reminder of the strength, resilience, and courage that define our athletes,” he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu added, “This event has given our athletes the unique opportunity to highlight their God-given talents, raise their rankings, and compete with their peers from across Africa and beyond. We are fortunate to have the recognition and support of esteemed organizations like the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and the Africa Table Tennis Federation. Their endorsement has elevated the standards of this tournament, laid a strong foundation for continued growth, and increased participation. We are deeply grateful for their collaboration, which brings prestige and amplifies our collective efforts here in Lagos.”

This year’s tournament showcased the remarkable skills of physically challenged athletes, who demonstrated unwavering dedication and perseverance. The event also unearthed new talents who made their mark on the para table tennis scene.

“We are thrilled that the tournament continues to grow by leaps and bounds. The registration this year was impressive, and we are happy to see the event attracting more players worldwide,” said Sunday Odebode, President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN).

The Lagos State Government’s continued support for the tournament was evident, with officials in attendance to show solidarity with the athletes.

As the curtains close on the 2024 ValueJet Para Table Tennis Competition, athletes and organizers are already looking forward to next year’s edition. The event’s success has paved the way for Nigerian para table tennis players to make their mark on the international stage.

Pablo Perez, ITTF Para Manager, highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence in para table tennis, which has motivated the ITTF to support the tournament as one of the sanctioned events in Africa. “We are particularly thrilled with the growth of para table tennis in Nigeria. The performance of Nigerian players in major international competitions is a testament to the country’s hard work. Nigeria is truly making a mark with Isau Ogunkunle being the only African medalist at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. We are proud to witness another tournament this year and commend Odebode and his team for their efforts,” Perez stated.

Tournament referee Asko Rasinen mentioned that over 30 players have been certified by classifiers, allowing them to kickstart their professional careers.