Table Tennis
Africa’s female table tennis pioneer, Mabel Segun, passes on at 95
Mabel Segun, a trailblazer in African female table tennis, passed away on Thursday, March 6, at the age of 95. Her family announced her demise in a statement issued on the same day.
“It is with gratitude to God for a life well spent in the pursuit of excellence in literature, broadcasting, and sports that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mabel Dorothy Okanima Segun (née Aig-Imoukhuede),” the statement read.
Segun passed away in the early hours of March 6, 2025, and her funeral arrangements will be announced later. She is survived by her son, Gbenga Segun; her daughter, Omowunmi Segun; and many grandchildren.
Segun, formerly known as Miss Mabel Imokhuede, was among the first Nigerian female table tennis players to gain international recognition in the early 1950s. According to Nigerian table tennis historian Femi Olugbile, despite the initial exclusion of women from regional and national competitions in Africa, Segun’s first major exposure came in 1954 during the National Singles Championships, when the first female singles competition was introduced in Nigeria.
Olugbile described Segun as a pioneer of female table tennis in Nigeria.
In his book “Ten Ahead,” he wrote: “The first female player of note to emerge in Nigeria was named Mabel Imokhuede (later to become Mrs. Segun).
She was a contemporary of the first set of players who came to national recognition in the early 1950s.
The first competitions held at both regional and national levels did not feature any women.
Segun’s first major exposure to the limelight was in 1954, when a female singles competition was formally introduced in the National Singles Championships.
There were not many players, as it was not common in those days for young ladies to participate in such activities, even for recreation.”
He added: “In the final match of the competition, Segun met Mrs. Hunt, the wife of one of the notable male players on the scene, who was an expatriate.
“She lost the match, but in doing so, she went into the records as the first indigenous Nigerian woman to attain that level of visibility in the game. Her example over time drew other ladies into the game.”
Segun’s illustrious career was marked by her role as a university graduate and a respected literary icon, serving as a role model for many Nigerian sportswomen.
Her athletic prowess earned her the University’s Table Tennis Half Colour, and she won numerous awards, including a gold medal in the doubles category in 1954. She continued to play table tennis competitively until the age of 58 in 1988.
Born on February 18, 1930, Segun was a true pioneer, breaking barriers throughout her distinguished career. She left behind a legacy of remarkable achievements and contributions to Nigerian society.
She was married to former ATTF President and ex-ITTF Deputy President, George Segun.
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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.
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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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