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Tag: Table Tennis

Gateway Games 2024: Teams, Players Battle for 46 Gold Medals in Table Tennis

Fola Badmus43 mins

Participants in the table tennis event of the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, will be vying for a total of 46 gold medals up for grabs. The table tennis competition features athletes across three categories: able-bodied, para-athletes, and deaf athletes. Seven gold medals are available in the able-bodied category, while deaf athletes will contest for five gold medals. Para-athletes will compete for a whopping 34 gold medals across various events, including singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team events. In the able-bodied category, athletes will compete in singles (for men and women), doubles (for men and women), mixed doubles, and team events (for men and women). Deaf athletes will contest in singles (men and women), doubles (men and women), and mixed doubles. Para-athletes will participate in four team events—men’s classes 1–5 and 6–10, and women’s classes 1–5 and 6–10. There will also be 18 singles events for men and women, eight doubles events, and four mixed doubles events. Delta State dominates the seeding lists for both able-bodied and para-athlete categories. Fatimo Bello of Delta State is the top seed in the women’s singles, while Bayelsa’s Olajide Omotayo leads the men’s singles. Lagos and Oyo States top the seedings in the deaf singles events. According to the tournament referee, Lajide Ranti, this year’s tournament promises to be thrilling, especially with the inclusion of Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) by the National Sports Commission (NSC). Lajide said: “We are going to witness top-class table tennis, especially from players who recently featured in the ITTF World Championships in Doha, Qatar. The knockout format of this year’s tournament will make it even more exciting and competitive. I hope we can conclude all matches before the closing ceremony on May 29,” Ranti said. “The turnout of teams has been impressive, even from states that haven’t traditionally featured in the table tennis events of the NSF. Beyond the medals, I believe the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) will be able to discover new talents for future development,” he added.

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Gateway Games 2024: Table Tennis Medal Hunt Begins in Abeokuta

Fola Badmus34 mins

The quest for table tennis glory at the 22nd National Sports Festival, dubbed Gateway Games 2024, begins on Saturday, May 24, at the Alake Sports Centre in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. As one of the headline events of Nigeria’s own Olympic-style festival, table tennis has attracted a significant turnout of teams from across the country. Notably, foreign-based stars such as Olajide Omotayo, Azeez Solanke, and Taiwo Matti will represent Bayelsa State, bringing international flair and experience to the competition. Lagos State enters the fray with national champion Matthew Kuti and Muiz Adegoke leading the charge, while other strong contenders from Kwara, Ondo, Oyo, and Delta States are poised to make their mark. According to an official from the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), the event’s start was slightly delayed to accommodate the conclusion of the badminton tournament, which shares the same venue. “We’re expecting a more competitive tournament this year, with increased participation from teams that haven’t featured in recent editions. Some players are coming straight from the ITTF World Championships in Doha, so fans should brace for fireworks in the team, doubles, and singles categories,” the official stated. Omotayo, currently Nigeria’s second-highest-ranked player globally, will face fierce opposition from top home-based talents like Kuti, Adegoke, and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai. Kuti, one of the most consistent performers on the national circuit, is seeking his first National Sports Festival title after a string of recent tournament successes. Abdulfatai, fresh off a national tournament victory in Osun State, is also a strong contender in both singles and doubles. Oyo State, guided by Coach Dotun Omoniyi, is not to be underestimated. The team features seasoned campaigners like Akinwale Fagbamila and Joshua Olaniran, who bring experience and grit to the Sunshine State’s campaign. In the para table tennis event, the spotlight will be on hometown hero and Paris Paralympics bronze medalist Isau Ogunkunle, who will be looking to assert his dominance in the Men’s Class 4 singles event. Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games medalist Faith Obazuaye will spearhead the Edo State contingent in the women’s para category. From May 24 to 28, the Alake Sports Centre will be the epicenter of thrilling table tennis action, as the festival promises to showcase new talents and deliver high-octane matches at this year’s multi-sport extravaganza.

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ITTF Africa, Ethiopian Airlines sign ground-breaking agreement

Fola Badmus05 mins

Just three days after taking office, the newly elected African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) Executive Council, led by President Wahid Enitan Oshodi, has achieved a significant milestone in engaging the corporate sector. In a vibrant ceremony held at the Ethiopian Airlines Headquarters in Addis Ababa on Friday, October 18, the ATTF and Ethiopian Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), appointing Ethiopian Airlines as the Official Airline Partner of the continental body. The ATTF delegation, led by President Wahid Enitan Oshodi, included Mr. Tesfaye Bizane, Executive Vice President of Media and Public Relations, and Dr. Kweku Tandoh, Chief Operating Officer (COO). They were warmly received by Ethiopian Airlines representatives Firiehiwot Mekonnen, Head of ET-Holidays, and Mary Legesse, Senior Sales Manager of ET-Holidays. In his remarks, Oshodi expressed his gratitude to the airline’s management for their support of the 2024 ITTF Africa Senior Championships, which was held at the Ethiopian Sports Academy in Addis Ababa. “We want to express our sincere appreciation to the management of Ethiopian Airlines for their support of the 2024 Africa Senior Championships. We don’t take this for granted, and that is why we want to extend our partnership with the Pride of Africa. As a continental federation, we aim to become one of the leading sports in Africa and have decided to collaborate with the world’s leading airline by entering into this important partnership. We recognize the strength of the airline as a member of the Global Star Alliance, and for us at ATTF, we want to be identified with you. We hope and believe this will be a beneficial relationship for both parties,” Oshodi said. Firiehiwot Mekonnen, representing Ethiopian Airlines, expressed pride in the partnership and affirmed their support by offering attractive packages during major events for the continental body. “We are thrilled to collaborate with ATTF as the Official Airline Partner of the continental body. Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest airline, dedicated to transporting thousands of people to more than 137 destinations worldwide.  “Our partnership with ATTF not only strengthens our connection with Africa but also aligns perfectly with our vision of fostering unity and celebrating excellence. As the Pride of Africa, we are committed to youth development through sports, and table tennis being a global sport, we are excited to support ATTF in its vision.  “We understand the crucial role sports play among our youths in Africa, and as an airline that prides itself as the gateway to Africa, we are willing to extend our partnership with ATTF by signing this MOU as a formal start to our long-lasting relationship.  “With the MOU, we have now made it official that we will be the partner airline for ATTF events within and beyond Africa,” she said. Tesfaye Bizane, who is also the President of the Ethiopia Table Tennis Federation (ETTF), described the MOU as a promising start for the new ATTF executive, with more corporate bodies expected to join soon. “We are excited to start on a positive note and will continue to seek partnerships with more corporate bodies so that our sport can compete favourably with other major sports in Africa,” Bizane said.

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Sanwo-Olu celebrates Oshodi’s rise to ATTF Presidency 

Fola Badmus04 mins

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has praised the election of Wahid Enitan Oshodi as the 6th President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Oshodi, a former Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development, was unanimously elected at the Elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the continental body held at the African Union (AU) headquarters. The meeting was attended by 40 member nations of the ATTF, making Oshodi the second Nigerian to lead the continental sports body after Engr. Segun George, who served from 1988 to 1996. “We are indeed proud of a true Lagosian who has continued to put Nigeria and Lagos on the world map through his sheer ingenuity in sports. His rising profile within and outside the continent has not come as a surprise, as he has shown to be a reliable hand when it comes to sports development. “His keen interest in youth development has helped to unearth several stars like Quadri Aruna and Olajide Omotayo. He is loved by the athletes and genuinely takes a special interest in their welfare. Since he left office as Commissioner, he has kept faith in sports, and this has been confirmed by his unanimous election in Addis Ababa,” said Governor Sanwo-Olu. Sanwo-Olu also pledged the state’s support to Oshodi and called on other Nigerians to support their compatriot, who has continued to make the country proud with his international acceptance. Oshodi’s journey in sports administration began in 2000 when he was appointed to the Lagos State Sports Council Governing Board under the administration of then Governor Bola Tinubu. He later became the Chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA). Under Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration, he was appointed Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development in 2011, where he supervised the National Sports Festival, tagged: “Eko 2012”. He was subsequently elected President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), where he brought vibrancy to the sport, unearthing international stars for the country. Recognised by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Oshodi was appointed Chairman of its Nomination Committee. In 2019, he was elected Deputy President of the ATTF, and in 2021, he topped the voting for the post of Executive Vice President of the ITTF, beating candidates from China and Europe. His ingenuity in sports administration has made Nigeria a hub for table tennis. With his election, Oshodi is currently the only Nigerian presiding over a continental sports body.

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