Nigeria’s Young Table Tennis Stars Secure Spot At 2025 World Youth Championships.
Nigeria’s U-19 and U-15 boys’ teams have clinched qualification for the 2025 ITTF World Youth Championships in Romania, delivering a stellar performance at the African Youth Championships held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. The announcement, made on 29 July 2025, marks a triumphant return for Nigeria to the global stage after missing the 2024 edition, with the teams’ victories celebrated as a testament to the nation’s rising dominance in African table tennis.
In the U-19 boys’ category, Nigeria’s squad, featuring Matthew Kuti, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, Matthew Fabunmi, and Quadri Atunwon, staged a dramatic comeback in the semifinals, overturning a 0-2 deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2. The final against defending champions Tunisia was equally gripping, with Nigeria edging out a 3-2 victory. Despite Tunisia’s top-ranked player, Wassim Essid, securing two hard-fought 3-2 wins over Kuti and Abdulfatai, Nigeria’s resilience shone through. Abdulfatai sealed the title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Mohamed Khaloufi in the decisive match, sparking celebrations among Lagos fans.
The U-15 boys’ team, comprising Joseph Marvelous, Adeoye Hussein, Tobi Adebakin, and Joseph Victor, also claimed gold, defeating arch-rivals Egypt 3-1 in a fiercely contested final. The young stars showcased fearless performances, with Adebakin and Victor earning praise for their composure under pressure. The victories ensure both teams will represent Africa at the prestigious World Youth Championships later this year, alongside Egypt, who secured qualification in the U-19 category, and Uganda, who made history with their maiden U-15 girls’ title.
ITTF Africa President Wahid Oshodi hailed the championships as a showcase of Africa’s brightest young talents, noting that Nigeria’s success reflects the continent’s growing prowess in table tennis. “This generation is arguably the most gifted we’ve seen, and they represent the future of African table tennis,” he said at a press briefing on 27 July. Lagos, hosting the event for the first time, has solidified its status as Africa’s table tennis hub, with over 150 players from 19 countries competing across 16 events, including singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
The championships, running from 27 July to 3 August, also serve as a crucial stepping stone towards the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Competitors like Tunisia’s Wassim Essid and Nigeria’s Favour Ojo expressed excitement about the electric atmosphere in Lagos, with Essid noting, “The energy and passion of Lagos fans make this a fantastic place to play.” Nigeria’s Tobi Adebakin, a top seed in the U-15 category, vowed to maintain the momentum, stating, “We know the challenge from Egypt and Tunisia, but we’re ready to prove Nigeria belongs at the top.”
The success follows Nigeria’s dominant performance at the ITTF West Africa Regional Championships earlier in July, where both men’s and women’s teams claimed titles. With the singles events still ongoing, Nigeria’s prospects, including Kuti and Ajoke Ojomu, are tipped to secure additional World Youth Championship spots as finalists in these categories also qualify for Romania. As Lagos continues to host electrifying matches, Nigeria’s young stars are writing a new chapter in the nation’s storied table tennis legacy, with their sights set on global glory.
