NTTF begins new era with teenage stars

Enchanting Ethiopia hosts Africa’s table tennis family

The Nigerian Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has started the process of building a new national team with the selection of teenage stars for the 2024 African Championships.

The national team is currently dominated by players who are on the other side of 30 and according to the NTTF, now is the right time to start preparing for their replacements.

In the 10-member squad announced by the NTTF ahead of the 2024 ITTF African Championships are predominantly teenagers, some of whom would be attending such a big championship outside the country for the first time.

There are still such seasoned internationals as Quadri Aruna, Olajide Omotayo, Ajoke Ojomu, and Fatimo Bello. They are also joined by promising young talents such as Matthew Kuti, Muiz Adegoke, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, Aishat Rabiu, Hope Udoaka, and Aziza Sezuo.

 Matthew Kuti, who made his senior debut at the 2023 African Games in Ghana, and competed in the 2023 African Championships in Tunis, is West African champion, and he will be making his second appearance at the continental event.

In contrast, Adegoke and Abdulfatai will debut at the African Championships after leading the men’s team to victory at the 2024 West Africa Regional Championships in Lome, Togo.

Udoaka, West Africa women’s champion; Rabiu and Sezuo, products of NTTF’s grassroots efforts, will also make their first appearance at the African Championships. These players featured at the maiden Daniel Ford Tournament, where they displayed exceptional skills to win the hearts of the national handlers.
 
NTTF Vice President, Adesoji Tayo explained that including junior players is part of the federation’s strategy to expose them to top-class competition early.
 
“We decided a few years ago to unearth new players, and we are happy that some of these players are coming through. They represented the country at the regional tournament in Togo and competed against top players from the region. This is another opportunity for them to gain experience at the African Championships.

“We are not expecting too much from them because they still need to gain more confidence. They have experienced players like Aruna, Omotayo, Bello, and Ojomu to learn from. We hope they can hold their own against some of the best players in Africa,” Tayo said.

Meanwhile, the city of Addis Ababa, home to the African Union (AU), is set to host the continent’s top table tennis players and nations from October 12 to 19. It is the 2024 ITTF Africa Championships and optimism has filled the air as the hosts promise to make the event a memorable experience for all.
Having last hosted the continental tournament 24 years ago, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital and largest city, is again the centre of attention as the championships start.

Apart from the competition proper, a new set of executives for the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) will be elected in Addis Ababa.  President of the Ethiopia Table Tennis Federation, Tesfaye Bizane, hopes to use the event to showcase Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage to all participants.

“Hosting the tournament after 24 years offers a unique chance to showcase Ethiopia’s cultural heritage and history, making the event more than just a sporting competition,” Bizane said.

“Visitors can expect a warm welcome and vibrant cultural experience in Ethiopia. As the birthplace of coffee, they will have the opportunity to taste authentic coffee directly from its source.

Guests can explore various attractions, including the National Museum, which houses a 3.2 million-year-old fossil, zoos, aquariums, the African Union Headquarters, and the Adwa Memorial Museum.

This rich blend of history, culture, and hospitality promises a memorable experience.” Bizane added.“Expectations are high that the tournament will be well-organised and successful, boosting the popularity of table tennis in Ethiopia. It is also expected to attract international attention, promote tourism, and provide a platform for local athletes to compete at a high level.

“Ethiopia’s motivation to bid for the table tennis tournament includes a desire to promote the sport nationally, provide local players with the opportunity to compete at a high-level competition, inspire a new generation of table tennis players, and enhance its international sporting profile,” Bizane explained.
He continued, “As the seat of the African Union (AU), we believe Ethiopia is the second home to all delegates, and we are making significant preparations to ensure a memorable experience for all attendees.”

Ethiopia has a standard venue that previously hosted the East African Championship, which has now been upgraded for the championships, with support from the ITTF/ATTF.