By Martins Odiete
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa have earned widespread commendation for the seamless and world-class organization of five consecutive international table tennis tournaments in Lagos, Nigeria, between July 16 and August 5, 2025.
The remarkable sporting marathon featured the West Africa Regional Championships, Africa Hopes Week & Challenge, WTT Contender Lagos 2025, ITTF African Youth Championships, and the ITTF-African Youth Cup. Together, these competitions drew elite players, coaches, and officials from across the continent and beyond, placing Lagos at the centre of global table tennis attention for nearly three weeks.
In a formal congratulatory letter jointly addressed to Wahid Oshodi, President of ITTF Africa and the Africa Table Tennis Federation, and Engr. Ishaku Tikon, President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, the ITTF lauded both bodies for their “exceptional commitment, meticulous planning, and tireless dedication” in delivering the series of tournaments to international standards.
According to the ITTF, the Lagos events did more than showcase African table tennis at its highest level—they provided invaluable platforms for athletes to hone their skills, gain competitive exposure, and take significant steps forward in their sporting careers.
The federation also singled out the NTTF for a major innovation during the series: the official unveiling of its Virtual Table Tennis Esports initiative. This groundbreaking project, aligned with the ITTF’s own esports vision, is expected to attract younger audiences, diversify participation, and expand the sport’s reach into the rapidly growing digital gaming space.
Observers say the success of the Lagos tournaments further cements the city’s status as a premier global hub for table tennis—a reputation that could play a crucial role as Africa counts down to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, now just 15 months away.
From the enthusiastic spectators to the flawless logistics, and from the intense rallies to the groundbreaking esports initiative, Lagos has once again demonstrated that Nigerian sports administration can deliver excellence on the world stage.
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