Get Guardian on GoogleThe Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has claimed the men’s singles gold medal at the 8th Nigeria-China Table Tennis Friendship Tournament after its representative, Ignatius Nkwoh, defeated Chinese player Xu Haitao in the final.
Nkwoh, a journalist with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), emerged champion at the competition held on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja.
His victory was complemented by another podium finish for the NUJ, as fellow Nigerian journalist, Eke Nwokeocha, secured third place in the men’s singles category.
The tournament, which brought together Nigerian and Chinese participants, featured men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s singles and mixed doubles.
In the men’s singles, Nkwoh claimed gold, Xu Haitao settled for silver, while Nwokeocha took bronze.
China, however, dominated the men’s doubles, with Xu Haitao and Shi Changqiang emerging winners. The Nigerian pair of Nwokeocha and Nkwoh finished second, while China’s He Chaodong and Li Shuidi came third.
In the women’s singles, Nie Xiaohua won gold, followed by Zhang Yaping in second place and Wu Tianxia in third.
China also claimed the top two positions in the mixed doubles through Shi Changqiang and Zhang Yaping, who finished first, and Xu Haitao and Wu Tianxia, who came second. Nigeria’s Musa Odion and Chioma A. Love secured third place.
Speaking at the event, NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Grace Ike, described the tournament as an important platform for bringing journalists together beyond the demands of the newsroom.
She said the competition promotes physical fitness, discipline, teamwork and professional solidarity while strengthening people-to-people relations between Nigeria and China.
“We played to win, but we must also remember that at the end of every match, we remain one, united colleagues and members of one professional family,” Ike said.
She noted that although the prizes added excitement to the competition, its greatest achievement remained the friendship, unity and partnership it continued to build.
Ike commended the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria for sustaining the tournament through eight editions, congratulated the winners and participants, and expressed optimism for a stronger partnership in 2027.
Earlier, the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, described table tennis as more than a sporting activity, saying it served as a bridge for strengthening friendship and understanding between the two countries.
“Every exchange and handshake on the table tennis court reflected the spirit of mutual respect, teamwork and fair play,” Yang said.
He added that sporting exchanges transcend language and cultural differences.
The Chinese diplomat commended the NUJ and the wider Nigerian media community for their coverage of China-Nigeria relations in trade, investment, culture, education, science and technology.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Nigeria-China Chamber of Commerce and Chinese enterprises operating in Nigeria to economic cooperation between both countries.
Yang noted that 2026 marked the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges and the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China, describing the period as significant for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
He highlighted China’s commitment to deepening engagement with Africa, including the zero-tariff treatment introduced on May 1, 2026, for imports from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.
In his appreciation remarks, Nkwoh thanked God, the NUJ FCT Council leadership and the organisers for the opportunity to participate in the competition.
He dedicated his trophy to Ike and members of the council’s executive for their encouragement and commitment to promoting sporting activities among journalists.
The NUJ FCT Council expressed appreciation to sponsors, partners, participants and organisers for contributing to the success of the eighth edition, while looking forward to an even more impactful ninth edition in 2027.
