Sports
ITTF President urges NSC to invest in medal sports
President of the International Table Tennis Federation Africa, Waheed Oshodi, has urged the National Sports Commission to prioritise funding for sports that consistently yield medals at global competitions.
Oshodi made the call during the WTT Contender Lagos finals, where local and international stars thrilled fans as the table tennis fest continues in Lagos.
While applauding the efforts of the NSC’s new leadership, Oshodi pointed out that despite enthusiasm for football, sports such as table tennis, wrestling and athletics have delivered more medals for the country at multi-sport events, yet receive disproportionately lower support.
“We keep talking about this big budget, but we need to see it spent,” Oshodi said.
The truth is, we still haven’t done enough for other sports. Football is important, we all love it, but these are the sports that matter. These are the ones that bring medals home.”
Oshodi expressed cautious optimism about the direction of the new NSC, saying, “I am thankful to the new Director General and Chairman of the National Sports Commission. They are starting well, they’ve tried. But for me, I can see the green lights, we just need more money.”
He also highlighted the progress of top African players competing globally despite limited institutional support.
At the top level, we have players like Quadri Aruna and Omar Assar competing with the best in the world, but that’s a remarkable feat considering how little we have invested in sports infrastructure across Africa,” he said.
Citing Egypt as a model of excellence, Oshodi noted the country’s long-term commitment to sports development.
“Egypt has a fantastic sports structure, and you can see the results. Most of their success has come through structured support, and we’re beginning to see that again at the African Youth Championships.”
He further spoke about the role of ITTF Africa in bridging funding gaps across the continent, noting the success of the Africa Hopes Week, a development camp for U-12 players held alongside the 2025 Lagos Festival of Tennis.
“I’m actually more excited about the Hopes Week than even the WTT event,” Oshodi said.
“We had players from Uganda and across Africa. It’s no longer just Nigeria and Egypt. These kids are coming through, and there’s a clear path for them now.”
Praising the emergence of promising Nigerian players, Oshodi singled out a young talent named Samson Joshua as a symbol of the country’s growing depth.
“Every time I come to Nigeria, there’s a new, exciting kid. This Joshua is really something else. We have 20, 30, even 40 players that can be at world-class level, and that’s amazing for a country like Nigeria because we haven’t invested that much,” he said.
Looking ahead to the conclusion of the 2025 Lagos Festival of Table Tennis, which has hosted two of four major events from 16 July to 5 August in Lagos, Oshodi said Nigeria had demonstrated its ability to stage world-class competitions.
However, he warned that talent development would stagnate without the necessary financial backing.
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.
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