Sports
Nigeria Overtakes Egypt In ITTF World Ranking
Captain of Al Ahly (2nd left) trying to go past an opponent in a recent game.
Following the performance of Team Nigeria at the just-concluded Perfect World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Segun Toriola-led side has moved up in the latest table tennis world ranking.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), organisers of the championships said in a statement yesterday that Nigeria has been rated 24 and the best African team globally.
The statement also described the nation’s side as the “West Africa giants.’’
Prior to the ITTF World Team Championship in Malaysia, Nigeria was rated 32 behind Egypt which placed 25.
The statement said that ITTF noted that the team’s ranking placed the country with 216 points ahead of Egypt, which now occupies 29th position with 208 points.
It said that Nigeria’s outstanding outing at the competition in the Asian nation contributed to the rise in the world rating.
The statement also said that In the women rating, Egypt remained the best in the continent as the North African country was now ranked 29.
It said that the absence of the Nigerian female team may have caused their slide to 40th place in the world.
In spite of the slumping of Nigeria, the team still remains the second best team in Africa ahead of Congo Brazzaville, Algeria and Tunisia.
According to the statement, China which clinched the men and women’s titles at the competition remains the best teams in the world.
Reacting to the rating, the Vice-President, African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Olabanji Oladapo, described Nigeria’s performance as commendable.
Oladapo, however, decried inadequate support for the sport by the government, stressing that it affected the team’s general performance.
“Considering the level of preparations, their performances were very surprising but good as they topped their highly competitive group, consisting of five top table tennis playing nations, including Slovakia and India.
“Lack of effective preparations and stamina for the competition affected them and caused their loss to India in the quarter-final, a team they had defeated 3-0 at the group stage.
“Aruna Quadri and Segun Toriola impressed the spectators with their outstanding performances in spite of playing without a technically sound coach on the bench.
“We have the players and we know our generic problems,’’ he stressed.
The former Secretary-General, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), also lamented the absence of the Nigerian women team which, he said, would caused the team to play in lower division in the tournament’s next edition.
“The absence of Nigerian women meant that they cannot qualify for 2016 Rio Olympic Games. They are likely to be relegated to a lower division too.
“This will be confirmed after the World Table Tennis Championship (WTTC).
“What is obvious is their drop below Egypt, Congo Brazzaville, Algeria and probably South Africa in ranking as they were all at the competition.
“We will feel the effect of our ‘no show’ in African multi-sports games like African Games,’’ Oladapo regretted.
To help grow the sport in the country, the member of ITTF Board of Directors said that “we must go to the basics in all our sports.
“Refocus development of table tennis in schools, on the streets and neighbourhoods and recreate sporting culture that produced past heroes.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
-
Editorial5 days agoEnough Of Xenophobic Attacks On Nigerians
-
Sports5 days agoOparaodu Urges Rivers United To Win Katsina United
-
Education5 days agoUNIPort Senate Grants Two-Year Amnesty to U2010–U2018 Students
-
Nation5 days agoRSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria
-
Oil & Energy5 days agoRivers PETROAN Elects 12-Member Executive
-
Politics5 days ago
APC Group Protests Ex–Presidential Aspirant’s Disqualification From Rivers Senatorial Race
-
Sports5 days ago” Nigeria’s best domestic players are not in NPFL”
-
Politics5 days ago
Reps Speaker Secures APC Return Ticket For Fifth Term