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Tag: Table Tennis

Nigeria, Egypt, Others Draw Opponents for 2026 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships

Fola Badmus03 mins

African table tennis giants Nigeria and Egypt are set to spearhead the continent’s campaign at the 2026 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships, which will unfold in London from April 28 to May 10. The official draws will take place at The Shard, London’s tallest building, on Monday, January 26, setting the stage for a historic tournament. In the men’s category, 12 African teams will line up among the 64 nations competing for global supremacy. The women’s category will see 11 African teams join the 64-nation field, a milestone that coincides with the centenary anniversary of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Of the 64 teams per gender, 52 qualified through continental championships, 11 earned their places via the world rankings of November 2025, while host nation England completes the roll call. Beyond Nigeria and Egypt, Africa’s representation in the men’s division includes Benin, Tunisia, Algeria, Togo, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Angola. In the women’s division, the continent will be represented by Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Madagascar, Algeria, Tunisia, Uganda, South Africa, Angola, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo DR. A century after the inaugural ITTF World Table Tennis Championships were staged in England in 1926, the sport now returns to its birthplace for a landmark centenary celebration. The 2026 edition promises intensity and spectacle, with 64 men’s and 64 women’s teams competing across 13 days at two iconic London venues. The format will unfold in three stages as Stage 1B features group stages determining qualification pathways, followed by Stage 1A seeding matches for the top-ranked teams, before Stage 2 delivers knockout rounds showcasing the world’s finest teams in pursuit of global supremacy. The ITTF World Championships remain the pinnacle of table tennis—a stage where legends are forged, and history is written. The countdown has begun, the teams are assembling, and the world awaits as London 2026 prepares to host a celebration of sport unlike any other.

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Aruna, Goda Begin 2026 Campaign at WTT Champions Doha

Fola Badmus04 mins

After the disappointment of missing out on the end-of-year WTT Cup Finals for the first time, Africa’s table tennis stars Quadri Aruna of Nigeria and Hana Goda of Egypt will open their 2026 campaigns on Thursday, January 8, at the WTT Champions Doha in Qatar. For the first time in the history of the WTT Cup Finals, no African player featured in the 2025 edition, as both Aruna and Egypt’s Omar Assar missed qualification based on their overall performances last season. Aruna, the only African to have consistently featured in the Cup Finals since its inception in 2021, ended 2025 as the continent’s highest-ranked male player but failed to make the top 16 cut. Goda, Africa’s top-ranked female player, also missed out after falling short of the top-16 threshold required for entry into the lucrative tournament. Now, both players will look to bounce back at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha, where they face tough Asian opposition in the opening round of the singles event. Aruna will renew his rivalry with China’s Liang Jingkun, while Goda faces a stern test against former World No. 1 Zhu Yuling of Macao. Aruna and Jingkun share a competitive history. The Nigerian famously defeated the Chinese star at the 2021 WTT Cup Finals, but their first encounter at the 2018 Korean Open saw Jingkun dominate with a 4-1 victory. Their clash in Doha will mark their third meeting, with both players eager to tilt the head-to-head record in their favour. For Goda, the duel against Yuling will be their first-ever meeting on the international stage. The Egyptian prodigy will be aiming to upset the established order at a tournament where players battle for crucial ranking points and a share of the $500,000 prize purse. Meanwhile, Assar endured a disappointing start to the year. His new partnership with Austrian coach and former world champion Werner Schlager began with defeat, as the Egyptian surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 3-1 against Japan’s Shunsuke Togami in the first round of the men’s singles. Despite the setback, Assar has signalled his intent to challenge the sport’s elite in 2026. This marks the first time the Qatari capital will host the purple WTT Champions, adding further prestige to the season-opening event.

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Gara-Gombe Fetes Team Nigeria in Tunis

Fola Badmus03 mins

Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, Chief Executive Officer of Green White Green Sports Center Limited, has extended a heartfelt gesture of support to Team Nigeria at the ongoing ITTF-Africa Championships in Tunis, Tunisia. Gara-Gombe, who visited the Rades Multi-Sports Complex, treated the Nigerian contingent to a sumptuous meal as part of his effort to motivate the squad to give their best at the prestigious continental event. “As a proud Nigerian, I’m deeply invested in the success of our teams across all sports. This table tennis team holds a special place in my heart. Seeing these young men and women represent our country inspires me to support and encourage them,” Gara-Gombe said. “I’ve visited the venue twice to cheer them on, and I felt they needed an extra boost of motivation. That’s why I decided to host them for a meal—to lift their spirits and help them give their best for Nigeria. I’m truly impressed by their discipline and the way they’ve conducted themselves under the guidance of our legend, Segun Toriola. This is my humble token of support, and I wish them success in all their matches,” he added. President of ITTF Africa, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, expressed gratitude for Gara-Gombe’s thoughtful gesture, describing it as a morale booster for the team. “We sincerely thank Mr. Gara-Gombe for taking the time to visit the team over the past two days, cheering them on and encouraging them. His generous act of hosting the team to a delightful meal in Tunis is both inspiring and uplifting. He has proven himself to be a true friend of table tennis and a passionate supporter of sports in general,” Oshodi said.

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Nigeria, Egypt, Others Battle for London 2026 World Championship Spots in Tunis

Fola Badmus04 mins

Africa’s table tennis giants, Nigeria and Egypt, will lead the charge for qualification to the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships in London, United Kingdom, as the continent’s top teams converge in Tunis, Tunisia, for the 2025 ITTF African Championships from October 12 to 19. London 2026 marks a historic centenary celebration, returning the World Championships to the city where it all began in 1926. The Tunis tournament serves as the official African qualification event, with the top-performing men’s and women’s teams securing their place on the sport’s grandest stage. In the men’s division, Nigeria—West Africa’s dominant force—and Egypt—the North African powerhouse—will be joined by Tunisia, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Benin Republic, DR Congo, and Morocco. The women’s field features Egypt, Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana, Ethiopia, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Madagascar, DR Congo, Cameroon, South Africa, Angola, Algeria, and host nation Tunisia. With London in sight, the battle for qualification will intensify during the final three days of the continental tournament, where all eyes will be on Nigeria and Egypt as they renew their storied rivalry. According to the ITTF, London 2026 will feature 64 teams in both the men’s and women’s events—an expansion from the previous 40-team format. This growth reflects the global rise of table tennis and opens the door for more nations to compete at the highest level. The tournament will unfold across two iconic London venues. The Copper Box Arena will host the opening rounds from April 28 to May 1, followed by the main draw at Wembley Arena from May 2 to 10, where the world’s elite will compete for the ultimate prize. Each gender will see 64 teams divided into 16 groups of four, with round-robin matches determining progression. A key innovation in the format is the introduction of Stage 1a and Stage 1b: Stage 1a features the top eight teams (seven highest-ranked plus host nation) split into two groups. All eight automatically advance, with group results determining seedings. Stage 1b includes the remaining 56 teams across 14 groups. The 14 group winners and six best second-placed teams qualify directly. The remaining eight second-placed teams enter a preliminary knockout round, with four winners completing the 32-team main draw. From the first serve at the Copper Box to the final point at Wembley, London 2026 promises to celebrate not only the present strength of global table tennis but also the remarkable journey that began in the same city a century ago.

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NTTF Clarifies Conduct of Technical and Athletes Representatives Election

Fola Badmus02 mins

The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) wishes to inform the general public and the table tennis community that the election of the Technical Representative and Athletes Representative to the NTTF Board was successfully conducted on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The Board is aware of certain rumors being circulated by one of the contestants questioning the credibility of the process. “We categorically affirm that the election was conducted in full compliance with the approved NTTF Election Guidelines and in strict accordance with the Federation’s Constitution, which has been duly ratified by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). “All eligible voters participated in the process, and the election was free, fair, transparent, and devoid of any irregularities. The results reflect the genuine choice of the stakeholders, and the Federation stands firmly by the integrity of the process, The NTTF remains steadfast in its commitment to the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability in all its operations. We call on all stakeholders to support the duly elected representatives in our shared mission to advance the growth and development of table tennis in Nigeria.

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Youngsters Ignite Lagos for 2025 ITTF African Youth Championships

Fola Badmus05 mins

As the Festival of Table Tennis continues, Lagos is set to host over 150 young talents from across the continent at the 2025 ITTF African Youth Championships. The event kicks off on Sunday, July 27, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium. Speaking at the press briefing held on Sunday, July 27, ITTF Africa President Wahid Oshodi described the tournament as a showcase of the continent’s finest young table tennis talents. He noted that many of the participants possess skills that rival those of Africa’s current senior players. “I’m thrilled that we’ll witness such high-level play from the best young talents across Africa. This generation is arguably the most gifted we’ve seen, and they represent the future of African table tennis. Players like Quadri Aruna and Omar Assar have made us proud globally, and now we get to see their potential successors. Egypt’s Ahmed Saleh, now coaching the national team, is here in Lagos, and I believe we’re in for an unforgettable tournament. Talents like Wassim Essid, who has competed at the highest levels, are just the beginning,” Oshodi said. ITTF Africa Deputy President Alfred Bagueka praised Nigeria for hosting the event, highlighting the country’s growing reputation as a top-tier organiser of international table tennis competitions. “Nigeria has proven to be a capable and passionate host, having successfully organised the West Regional tournament and the WTT Contender Lagos. The support from Lagos fans and the high standard of organisation will undoubtedly make this a memorable event. We also commend President Oshodi for his leadership in bringing major international events to Africa. Other nations should take inspiration from this,” Bagueka stated. Competition Manager Menna Elzaabalawy confirmed that over 17 countries will be represented, with more than 150 players competing in 16 events across singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team categories. “Nigeria’s experience in hosting international tournaments gives us confidence in a smooth and exciting championship. Players will compete in U-15 and U-19 categories, with team event winners qualifying for the World Youth Championships (WYC) in Romania later this year. Finalists in the singles events will also earn automatic WYC spots. This is the largest gathering of youth teams in Africa, and we anticipate thrilling matches over the next seven days,” she said. ITTF Africa COO Kweku Tandoh emphasized the significance of Lagos hosting the event for the first time. “This cements Lagos as the hub of table tennis in Africa. Following the AYC, we’ll also host the inaugural ITTF Africa Youth Cup—an initiative that could soon be adopted by ITTF globally,” he said. Africa’s top-ranked U-19 player, Tunisia’s Wassim Essid, expressed his excitement about defending his title. “I’m thrilled to be in Nigeria for the first time and eager to compete against Africa’s best. The energy and passion of Lagos fans make this a fantastic place to play,” he said. Nigeria’s Tobi Adebakin and Favour Ojo also shared their enthusiasm, acknowledging the stiff competition expected from North African countries like Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, as well as Uganda.

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Lagos Gears Up for 2025 Festival of Table Tennis

Fola Badmus03 mins

The Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall at Teslim Balogun Stadium is getting a vibrant makeover as Lagos prepares to host the Festival of Table Tennis, a 20-day celebration of the sport running from July 16 to August 5, 2025. This exciting festival will feature a lineup of prestigious competitions, including the ITTF Africa West Regional Championships, WTT Contender Lagos, ITTF Africa Youth Championships, and the inaugural ITTF Africa Youth Cup. As one of the global hubs of table tennis, Lagos is set to welcome elite players from West Africa, across the continent, and around the world for what promises to be a truly unforgettable sporting experience. The action begins with the ITTF Africa West Regional Championships from July 16 to 19, where regional champions in team and singles events will be crowned. From July 22 to 26, the spotlight shifts to the WTT Contender Lagos, drawing international stars eager to compete for $100,000 in prize money across five events. The increased prize pool and valuable ranking points have attracted a stellar lineup for this five-day showdown. Next, the continent’s rising stars take centre stage at the 2025 ITTF Africa Youth Championships, held from July 27 to August 3. This 14-event tournament will determine Africa’s top young talents. The festival concludes with the ITTF Africa Youth Cup on August 4 and 5, offering another platform for emerging players to showcase their skills and compete for continental glory. Throughout the three weeks, fans can expect electrifying matches, passionate crowds, and the signature energy that defines Lagos. It’s set to be a spectacular 20-day celebration of table tennis—uniting athletes, fans, and officials in a festival of competition, culture, and camaraderie.

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Gateway Games 2024: Ogun Clinches Mixed Doubles Title in Table Tennis

Fola Badmus44 mins

Host state Ogun added to its medal tally in table tennis at the 22nd National Sports Festival—tagged Gateway Games 2024—by securing gold in the Mixed Doubles category. On Monday, Ogun had already claimed two gold medals in the para table tennis events. Building on that success, the duo of Bode Abiodun and Tosin Oribamishe delivered a stellar performance in the Mixed Doubles final, defeating Bayelsa’s Azeez Solanke and Iyanuoluwa Falana. Their path to the final wasn’t without challenges. In the semifinals, they faced stiff competition from Edo’s Rilwan Akanbi and Aminat Fashola. It was Abiodun’s experience that proved decisive, helping the Ogun team edge out a narrow 3-2 victory to book their place in the final. Unlike the hard-fought semifinal, the final saw a dominant performance from the Ogun pair. They cruised to a straight-sets 3-0 victory over Bayelsa, bringing Ogun’s gold medal count in table tennis to three. Meanwhile, the singles competitions are heating up as they enter a critical stage. Defending women’s singles champion Fatimo Bello of Delta has confidently declared her intent to retain the title. “Expect a different performance in this festival because nothing can stop me from retaining the title. It’s going to be tougher this year, but I’m fully ready for any opponent here in Abeokuta,” said Bello. The men’s singles event promises a fierce contest with more than ten top contenders, including foreign-based stars such as Olajide Omotayo, Bode Abiodun, Taiwo Mati, Bode Kayode, and Azeez Solanke. They will be joined by local talents like Matthew Kuti and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, as well as defending champion Amadi Omeh of Edo. Chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA), Tunji Lawal, praised the organizers and emphasized the importance of talent identification at the festival. “I must commend the Ogun State government for putting on a great show. The turnout for the table tennis event has been impressive. With more players participating, we increase our chances of discovering new talent. This is a promising development for the sport in Nigeria. Hopefully, we can find the next Quadri Aruna at this year’s Gateway Games,” Lawal stated.

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