Nigeria has marked a significant milestone at the 2025 ITTF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, by clinching its first win in the Mixed Doubles event.

The dynamic duo of Olajide Omotayo and Rabiat Ayoola staged a thrilling comeback to defeat Egypt’s Mahmoud Helmy and Fathy Hend 3-2 in the Round of 64.

The prestigious tournament, which commenced on Saturday, May 17, features over 300 athletes from more than 70 member associations competing across five individual events: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.

The competition will span nine days in the vibrant city of Doha.

Despite a shaky start, losing the first two sets 9-11 and 7-11, Omotayo and Ayoola displayed remarkable resilience.

They rallied back to take the next three sets 11-6, 12-10, and 11-7, sealing a hard-fought 3-2 victory and advancing to the second round of the Mixed Doubles category.

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Kwara’s Abdulbasit Abdulfatai and Cross River’s Hope Udoaka emerged as champions at the 5th Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championships, held in the historic town of Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.

With the defending champions exiting in the quarterfinals, Abdulfatai had a smooth ride to the final, where he mesmerised giant-killer Matthew Fabunmi with a 4-0 victory (12-10, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7) to lift the Men’s Singles title.

In the Women’s Singles final, Udoaka dominated the encounter, defeating veteran Halima Hussain of Oyo 4-1 (11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7) to be crowned the new champion.

In the U-15 categories, Ifeoluwa Ajasa of Lagos triumphed over Deborah Faleye of Edo 3-1 (11-8, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7) to win the girls’ title, while Marvelous Joseph of Kogi overcame Umar Ayoola of Osun 3-1 (11-9, 11-2, 10-12, 11-8) to become the boys’ champion.

Tournament referee John Peter described this year’s event as unique, blending table tennis with entertainment, as participants enjoyed performances by various artists each day.

“The 5th edition of the Michael and Felicia Alabi Table Tennis Festival was a combination of play and fun.

“The standard of play kept rising from stage to stage, culminating in the ousting of the defending champions in both the Men’s and Women’s Singles at the quarterfinal stage.

“New champions emerged in most of the 15 events, and a new dimension was added to the organisation, with university students volunteering and assisting in all areas,” Peter said.

The grand finale of the five-day tournament was graced by the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, accompanied by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, and the royal father of Otan Ayegbaju, HRM Ọba Adesola Ojo Fadipe, among other notable personalities.

The N11.5m prize money was sanctioned by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and organised by the Osun State Table Tennis Association.

The event attracted players from various states, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Taraba, Nasarawa, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti, Katsina, Niger, Zamfara, and the host state, Osun.

 Clubs such as Aruna Sports Club, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Police Force also featured at the national ranking championships.

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The unseeded duo of Samuel Boboye and Iyanuoluwa Falana clinched the mixed doubles title on Wednesday, April 30, at the 5th Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championships held in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.

A major upset occurred in the U-15 boys’ singles, where the number one seed, Ayoola Usman, was eliminated by an unseeded player in the last 16 of the tournament.

The five-day tournament, sanctioned by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and organized by the Osun State Table Tennis Association, attracted participants from various states including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Taraba, Nasarawa, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti, Katsina, Niger, Zamfara, and the host state, Osun.

Clubs such as Aruna Sports Club, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Police Force also competed for top honours at the N11.5m prize money championships.

Boboye and Falana emerged as champions in the mixed doubles event by defeating the number two seed, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai and Sukurat Aiyelabegan of Kwara State, with a score of 3-1 (11-1, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7). 

The Bayelsa pair attributed their victory to focus and composure, despite facing top-seeded players, and expressed their ambition to secure more laurels for the Niger Delta team.

In the U-15 boys’ singles, Solomon Oyenekan of Lagos was the standout player of the day, stunning the number one seed, Ayoola Usman of Aruna Club, with a commanding 3-0 (12-10, 11-9, 11-8) victory to advance to the quarterfinals.

As the tournament concludes on Friday, May 2, the competition for the coveted trophies and substantial prize money intensifies, with top seeds determined to maintain their dominance against unseeded challengers. 

The absence of the national champion in the Men’s Singles, Matthew Kuti, who is preparing for an international tournament later this month, may pave the way for a new champion to emerge.

Players have praised the sponsors for providing a conducive environment and full boarding, including accommodation and meals, throughout the tournament.

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