Monthly Archives: June 2021

Nigeria’s national U-21 champion Taiwo Mati has been listed among the awardees of the 2021 With The Future In Mind (WFIM) scholarship by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Mati who has been consistent with his performance in recent times was among the 13 players under the Prominent Youth Players category by the world table tennis ruling body.

The African cadet champion is one of the two African players listed alongside Egypt’s Hana Goda who is the world’s number one U-15 player (girl).

According to the statement issued by ITTF at the weekend, WIFM has been a core component of the Athletes Development Model since its inception, targeting prospects from all over the world in the pursuit of their Olympic Dream.

“Following the adoption of the new ITTF Strategic Plan in 2018, support was expanded to a group of athletes from established markets with the aim of further globalizing competitiveness within our sport, an approach that is reflected in and continued for this year’s supported athletes.

The scholarship according to ITTF High-Performance Elite Coach Massimo Costantini, The support is intended as an additional source from their existing planning with national teams and clubs commitments among others, so they (athletes) can use the scholarship for strengthening overall preparation by participating in specific training camps and competitions.

With the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games around the corner, WFIM scholarship is a joint program of Olympic Solidarity and the ITTF, while the support has also been extended for some of the qualified athletes for Tokyo 2020 in special consideration by Olympic Solidarity and topped up by ITTF High Performance & Development. 

Already, three Tokyo-bound African stars – Ibrahima Diaw of Senegal, Egypt’s Yousra Helmy, and Tunisia’s Fadwa Garci are among the 17 athletes selected across the world for the gesture.

For Mati and 12 other youth players, the target of ITTF is to support the athletes for their qualification for the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic Games with the aim to qualify for their first taste of the Olympic spirit.

The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) Ishaku Tikon described Mati’s election among the best in the world as a plus for Nigeria, adding that the efforts of the federation have continued to yield positively for the world body to identify the Nigerian star.

“I am so excited with this development and this goes to show that the federation has been working hard to give young players the opportunity to showcase their talents to the world. I am aware that ITTF has been monitoring what we are doing in Nigeria and Mati’s consistency has paid off for him. My advice to other players is that they should also emulate Mati and work harder to get noticed globally and enjoy the chance to compete and train with the best in the world under the WFIM Scholarship scheme of ITTF,” Tikon said.

Source: Nigeria Table Tennis  Association

The dominance of Fatimo Bello of G20 in the women’s singles came to an end at the Lagos Top Invitational Table Tennis Challenge as Ondo’s Taiwo Mati and Lagos’ Bose Odusanya claimed the titles at the one-day tournament held at Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Bello, winner of the last national tournaments – 20^th National Sports Festival, Aso Cup, and National Championships was dazed in the semifinal of the women’s singles by Kwara’s Bisola Asaju while her arch-rival Lagos’ Odusanya finally cuddled a trophy having lost the last two national tournaments to Bello in recent times.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) on Tuesday, June 1, confirmed the eventual qualification of Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna for the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

According to a letter addressed to the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and singed by ITTF Competition Director Gabor Felegyi, Aruna who is the first African in the history of the Olympic Games to make it to the quarter-final stage of the singles event is expected to join 85 others across the globe to compete in the men’s singles event at Tokyo Olympic Games next month.

“It is with great pleasure, I advise the qualification of Quadri Aruna to compete in the table tennis Men’s Singles event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, on the basis of World Ranking allocation according to the June 2021 ITTF Olympic Qualification Ranking,” Felegyi stated.

He, however, stated that NOC is expected to confirm Aruna’s participation on or before June 16.

With this development, Aruna will be making his third appearance at the Olympic Games having featured in London 2012 and Rio 2016 and he will join his compatriots – Olajide Omotayo, Olufunke Oshonaike, and Edem Offiong to compete in the singles event in Tokyo.

It was at Rio 2016 in Brazil that Aruna stunned the world with his performance as the first African to reach the quarterfinal after edging out some of the best players in the world including former world number one, Timo Boll of Germany before losing to the eventual winner, Ma Long of China in the quarterfinal.

An excited Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of NTTF, Ishaku Tikon said he has been proved right with the confirmation by ITTF as the exploits of Aruna in the last two years were enough to secure a place for him in Tokyo.

“When Aruna got injured during the African Qualifying tournament in Tunis last year, I told the world that he will make it to Tokyo as he is ranked among the top 10 in the Olympic ranking. Despite the setback in Tunisia, Aruna did not relent in his performance and for me, I am so excited as a Nigerian because his qualification will surely motivate others to look up to him and aim for the best in Tokyo,” Tikon said.

Already 64 players have so far been confirmed for the men’s singles event while the remaining six slots are expected to be allocated as wildcards.

Source: Nigeria Table Tennis  Association

Two of the best female table tennis players in the country Fatimo Bello of G20 and Bose Odusanya of Lagos will continue their rivalry at the Lagos Top 16 Invitational Challenge scheduled for June 12 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The tournament is organised by Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), with the aim to sustain the momentum generated at just concluded 2021 Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) National Championships as the best 32 players (16 men and 16 women) across the country will converge for the one-day tournament.

The President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) Khaled El-Salhy has described the election of Nigeria’s Wahid Enitan Oshodi as the Deputy President of the continental body as a big addition to the top echelon of table tennis in Africa.

El-Salhy who was elected for a third in office as president of ATTF at the 2021 virtual General Assembly of the federation at the weekend said the addition of new faces to the Executive Council would surely bring vibrancy to the administration of table tennis in the continent.

“For sure the election of Wahid Enitan Oshodi is a big addition to ATTF. He is full of energy and experience to unify Africa and to support all the African members in the ITTF Committees, Commissions, and assignments as his performance in the previous period as the Chairman of ITTF Nomination Committee,” the ATTF boss said.

“Luckily the new EC faces of the ATTF team are representing the bright future of the African Table Tennis in the coming years. They including Oshodi all did a remarkable job in their various national associations as well at the regional level as well as their involvement in ITTF Committees. I think they all have the full trust of the delegates as displayed during their unanimous election at the General Assembly,” El-Salhy added.

For the ATTF chief, his main priority was to increase the number of top African players in the world. “My priority remains to help all African member associations and players in terms of promotion regardless of the challenges.

“Also I want to increase the number of top African players among ITTF World Ranking in all categories, and to secure hosting more WTT & World Title events in Africa.”

On his immediate targets, he said: “I want to build up a very good calendar for the coming years after such a long suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Also to have a good follow-up to our qualifiers from Africa to 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games within their final preparations and participation.”

Source: Nigeria Table Tennis  Association

Egypt’s Khaled El-Salhy has been reelected for a third term in office as the President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) at the 2021 General Assembly held for the first time virtually by the continental body on Saturday, June 5, 2021.

El-Salhy who has championed the modernization of table tennis in Africa was elected unanimously by the 23 delegates that attended the well-attended assembly in the history of the federation.

An elated El-Salhy also assured the delegates of more innovation in the sport in line with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Also, Nigeria’s Wahid Enitan Oshodi, who is the Chairman of the ITTF Nomination Committee was unanimously elected as Deputy President who replaced compatriot – Olabanji Oladapo, while Cameroon’s Alfred Bagueka Assobo returned as the Executive Vice President (EVP), Administration while former EVP, Marketing, Hajera Kajee was elected as EVP, Finance while Tunisia’s Lotfi  Guerfel was elected as EVP, Marketing. Andrew Mudibo of Kenya is the new EVP, Development, while Cote d’Ivoire’s Germain Karou is the EVP, Technical. Rwanda Table Tennis Federation (RTTF) President, John Birungi is the new EVP, Media, and Public Relations.

For ITTF Board of Directors (BOD), Nigeria’s Oladapo, Kenya’s Mudibo, Cameroon’s Assobo, South Africa’s Joe Carrim, Ghana’s Mawuko Afadzinu, Libya’s Mohamed Aldaeiki, Algeria’s Cherif Deerkaoui, and Uganda’s Thomas Kiggudou won Africa’s slots in the world body.

For Regional Vice Presidents, Uganda’s Robert Jagwe (Central), Algeria’s Bouzziane Errahmani (North), Congo Brazzaville’s John Okouna (East), and Benin Republic’s Ferdinand Sounou (West) were elected.

Apart from the election, some vital decisions were agreed especially as it concerns the athletes as the delegates approved the use of the world ranking for seedings in continental tournaments, while delegates also approved the appointment of the Advisory Council chaired by Nigeria’s Oladapo as the Executive Council (EC) is expected to confirm. A four-year Strategic Plan of ATTF was also adopted by the delegates.

A delighted El-Salhy thanked delegates for the confidence reposed on him while praising to redouble his efforts with the new executive to improve the profile of the sport as well as continue to work with ITTF in giving a lift to table tennis in Africa.

Executive Vice President, ITTF Alaa Meshref lauded the past executives for laying the foundation for the growth being experienced in Africa while urging the new executives to build on their predecessors’ legacy. Meshref also reiterated ITTF’s commitment to Africa while expressing optimism on the future of the sport in the continent.

In his remarks, CEO of ITTF Steve Dainton commended the delegates for their efforts and commitment to table tennis, whilst also congratulating the new executives and thanking the previous executives for their dedication to the sport. He, however, encouraged them to continue to raise the bar of the sport in the region as ITTF would continue to support the continent more than ever before in its quest to popularise table tennis in Africa. 

Dainton reaffirmed ITTF’s commitment and support to ATTF through its Master Continental Agreement and especially praised the ATTF for the adoption of their robust Strategic Plan at the General Assembly.

ITTF Secretary General Raul Calin commended the delegates for their conduct during the General Assembly while expressing optimism in the new executive led by El-Salhy to continue to improve the lots of table tennis in Africa.

23 countries, as well as more than 30 observers, were part of the General Assembly which lasted for over four hours.

Oshodi elected as ATTF Deputy President

Former President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) Wahid Enitan Oshodi has been unanimously elected as the Deputy President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) at the virtual General Assembly of the continental  body on Saturday, June 5, 2021..

Despite competing unopposed, 22 of the 23 delegates that attended the assembly voted for Oshodi following his exemplary leadership in Africa, while Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Olabanji Oladapo won one of the eight slots of the Board of Directors (BOD) of ITTF and he was also apportioned the chairman of the Advisory Council of ATTF.

An elated Oshodi assured the delegates of changes in the sport, while soliciting for their support.

“I am so grateful for this massive support and I believe we have started a journey that will lift the fortune of table tennis and I believe with your support, we can continue to raise the bar of the sport in Africa as well as compete with the rest of the world,” Oshodi said.

Egypt’s Khaled El-Salhy was also reelected for a third term in office as the President of ATTF).

El-Salhy was elected unanimously by the 23 delegates that attended the first virtual general assembly in the history of the federation.

An elated El-Salhy also assured the delegates of more innovation in the sport in line with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Also, Oshodi, who is the Chairman of the ITTF Nomination Committee replaced compatriot – Olabanji Oladapo, while Cameroon’s Alfred Bagueka Assobo returned as the Executive Vice President (EVP), Administration while former  EVP, Marketing, Hajera Kajee was elected as EVp, Finance while Tunisia’s Lotfi  Guerfel was elected as EVP, Marketing. Andrew Mudibo of Kenya is the new EVP, Development, while Cote d’Ivoire’s Germain Karou is the EVP, Technical. Rwanda Table Tennis Federation (RTTF) President, John Birungi is the new EVP, Media and Public Relations.

For ITTF Board of Directors (BOD), Nigeria’s Oladapo, Kenya’s Mudibo, Cameroon’s Assobo, South Africa’s Joe Carrim, Ghana’s Mawuko Afadzinu, Libya’s Mohamed Aldaeiki, Algeria’s Cherif Deerkaoui and Uganda’s Thomas Kiggudou won the Africa’s slots in the world body.

For regional Vice President, Uganda’s Robert Jagwe (Central), Algeria’s Bouzziane Errahmani (North), Congo Brazzaville’s John Okouna (East) and Benin Republic’s Ferdinand Sonou (West) were elected.

Apart from the election, some vital decisions were agreed especially as it concerns the athletes as the delegates approved the use of the world ranking for seedings in continental tournaments, while delegates also approved the appointment of an Advisory Council chaired by Nigeria’s Oladapo. A four-year Strategic Plan of ATTF was also adopted by the delegates

In his remarks, CEO of ITTF Steve Dainton commended the delegates for their efforts and commitment to the sports while congratulating the new executives. He however, charged them to continue to raise the bar of the sport as ITTF would continue to support the continent in its quest to popularise table tennis in Africa. 

Dainton reaffirmed ITTF’s commitment and support to ATTF especially with the adoption of their robust Strategic Plan at the General Assembly. 

ITTF Secretary General Raul Calin commended the delegates for their conduct during the General Assembly, while expressing optimism in the new executive led by El-Salhy to continue to improve the lot of table tennis in Africa.

23 countries as well as more than 30 observers were part of the General Assembly which lasted for over four hours.

Source : Nigeria Table Tennis  Association