Nigeria may miss ITTF World Championship

Four days to the commencement of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Championships in China, there are doubt that
Nigeria will be present at the global tournament due to lack of funds.

Only last week, Nigeria failed to take part in the ITTF African Junior Championship following the inability of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) to secure funds from the National Sports Commission
(NSC).

Despite efforts by the Wahid Oshodi-led NTTF board to return Nigeria to the zenith of the sport in Africa, there has not been commensurate backing from the NSC, a development that has become a source of worry to table tennis buffs.

In February, the NTTF informed the NSC about the country’s participation in the championship but up till now there has not been any concrete assurance or approval from the NSC that the team would feature
in the competition.

Aside the issue of funding, Aruna Quadri’s efforts to put Nigeria on the world map by winning the ITTF Star Player of the year has not received any formal support from the commission.

Nigerian players have also been considered as title contenders at the global championship holding in Suzhou, China but the recent development may prevent the team from taking part in the event.

NTTF officials complain that their efforts to secure funds from the NSC has been frustrated by the office of Federation and Elite Athlete Department (FEAD), headed by
Khalid Gidado.

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