The city of Lagos is abuzz with excitement as it hosts over 150 of Africa’s most promising young table tennis players for the 2025 ITTF African Youth Championships. The week-long tournament officially served off on Sunday, July 27, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium.

At the opening press briefing, ITTF Africa President, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, described the event as a platform to showcase the next generation of African stars. “This generation is arguably the most gifted we’ve seen,” Oshodi declared.

“Many of these players already exhibit qualities that match our current senior players. With legends like Quadri Aruna and Omar Assar paving the way, we now witness their successors stepping up. The presence of former champion and now coach Ahmed Saleh of Egypt underlines the quality we have on display.”

The tournament, which features Under-15 and Under-19 categories, will see participants competing in singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team events. Winners of the team competitions will qualify for the World Youth Championships in Romania later this year, while the singles finalists will also earn automatic berths.

Deputy President of ITTF Africa, Alfred Bagueka, commended Nigeria’s organisational capabilities. “Nigeria continues to prove itself as a world-class host, having recently staged the West African Regional event and WTT Contender Lagos. The passion of the Lagos fans and the expertise of the organisers will surely make this championship a memorable one.”

According to Competition Manager, Menna Elzaabalawy, players from over 17 African countries are represented in what is the largest gathering of youth table tennis teams on the continent. “We are expecting high-level competition throughout the week. Nigeria’s track record gives us every confidence in a smooth, exciting championship.”

Chief Operating Officer of ITTF Africa, Kweku Tandoh, added that Lagos’ hosting of the African Youth Championships for the first time further confirms its status as Africa’s table tennis hub. “This is historic. And to cap it off, Lagos will also host the inaugural ITTF Africa Youth Cup, an initiative we hope will soon be embraced by the global body.”

Among the top stars expected to shine is Tunisia’s Wassim Essid, Africa’s highest-ranked U-19 player, who expressed delight at competing in Nigeria for the first time. “The energy in Lagos is amazing. I’m excited to defend my title against some of Africa’s best.”

Nigeria’s hopefuls, including Tobi Adebakin and Favour Ojo, are equally eager to rise to the challenge. “We know North African countries like Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria will bring their best, but we’re ready to give our all,” Adebakin said.

With fierce competition expected and international spots on the line, Lagos looks set for a thrilling week of top-tier table tennis action.

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The main draw of the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos got off to a dramatic start on Thursday. Fireworks and a major upset lit up the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

 In a shocking turn of events, Japan’s Hina Hayata, the women’s top seed, faced an unexpected defeat. She was knocked out in her opening match. This sent ripples through the $100,000 prize money tournament.

The surprise of the day came from India’s Sreeja Akula. She is the defending women’s singles champion. Akula produced a flawless performance to dispatch Hayata in straight sets, 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-3). Many are already calling this one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

“I was well-prepared for the match, even though it was my first time playing against her,” said Akula. “She’s the top-ranked player, but I didn’t focus on rankings. I just concentrated on my game, and I’m happy with how I played.”

Akula, seeded ninth, made history last year. She became the first Indian to win a WTT title. She clinched both the women’s singles and doubles in Lagos.

She credited her success to the city itself. “Lagos has been a good hunting ground for me, and I’m really happy to be back,” she said. “Being the defending champion gives me a lot of confidence.”

Meanwhile, Egypt’s teenage sensation Hana Goda also made headlines with a gritty comeback victory.

The 17-year-old won her first continental title in Lagos in 2022. She overcame India’s Roy Krittwika 3-1 (8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7) to reach the round of 16. She will face Yi-Tian Yeh of Chinese Taipei.

“My opponent played better than I expected, and I was a bit shocked at the beginning,” said Goda. “I’m glad I managed to turn things around, although I’m not satisfied with my performance. Facing Yi-Tian again brings back childhood memories — maybe this time I can get my revenge.”

Goda, the tournament’s third seed, was visibly thrilled to return to Lagos. “I love being here. I have many friends and always feel supported. Lagos is where I won my first African title, so it holds a special place in my heart.”

Egypt’s veteran and former African champion Dina Meshref also cruised through her opening match to secure a place in the second round, maintaining her status as one of the continent’s most consistent performers.

With top seeds falling and young stars rising, WTT Contender Lagos 2025 is already living up to its billing as a thrilling showcase of international table tennis

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As the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos enters its second day of qualifying action, players from across the globe are not only chasing a share of the event’s impressive $100,000 prize pool but also competing for valuable ranking points that could reshape the international table tennis landscape.

Held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, the tournament has quickly established itself as Africa’s most dynamic stop on the WTT Contender Series, drawing top-tier talent and passionate crowds.

High Stakes: Points and Prestige

Winners in the Men’s and Women’s Singles events stand to gain 400 ranking points, a haul that could lead to significant movement in the global rankings. The runner-up will earn 280 points, while semi-finalists and quarter-finalists will receive 140 and 70 points, respectively.

The fierce competition on court is driven by both the financial and professional stakes, with players seeing Lagos as a crucial opportunity to bolster their rankings while claiming continental bragging rights.

Global Stars Eye Lagos Glory

Among the headline acts are Denmark’s Anders Lind and Japan’s Hina Hayata, both of whom enter the tournament as strong favourites.

Japan’s Hina Hayata

Hayata, 25, is making her Lagos debut and arrives with an impressive resume. A dominant force in the now-retired ITTF Challenge Series and a multiple-time WTT Contender champion, she is known for her lethal two-winged spin attack and is coached by veteran tactician Daisuka Ishida. Since her breakthrough at the 2021 WTT Star Contender in Doha, she has collected five WTT Contender titles and a WTT Star Contender crown. Now, she is aiming to add her first African WTT Contender title to her growing legacy.

On the men’s side, 13-time Danish national champion Anders Lind returns to Lagos with high expectations. A fan favourite in Nigeria, Lind thrives in the electrifying atmosphere generated by the local crowd. A runner-up at the 2025 WTT Contender Tunis, Lind has a decorated career that includes six singles titles and multiple doubles triumphs, and he sees Lagos as a key battleground in his campaign for global recognition.

Qualifiers Deliver Drama and Determination

The road to the main draw has already delivered moments of brilliance and high drama. While Day 1 of the qualifiers saw several early exits, Day 2—Wednesday, July 23—has brought heightened intensity, with players battling for the few remaining slots in the Singles main draws.

Nigerian players, buoyed by home support, have featured prominently in the qualifiers, joined by a host of African hopefuls seeking a breakthrough against elite international competition.

Doubles and Mixed Doubles Action Set to Begin

Attention is also turning to the Doubles and Mixed Doubles events, with first-round matches kicking off. Unseeded pairs will attempt to defy the odds and earn their place in the latter stages, where the tournament’s top teams await.

With ranking points, international prestige, and substantial prize money all on the line, WTT Contender Lagos is proving once again why it is one of the continent’s most anticipated table tennis events.

As the competition heats up, the stakes continue to rise—not just for titles, but for careers.

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