Giving table tennis a future for Africa’s youth starts with funding, and for Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi, that mission is non-negotiable.
As President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) and Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Oshodi is leading efforts to build a financially supportive environment where young talent can thrive.
That vision was on full display at the Sir Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, which recently hosted another successful edition of the Festival of Table Tennis, a fast-growing event drawing talent and attention from across the African continent.
In an exclusive interview with www.aclsports.com , Oshodi, shared insights on youth development, grassroots growth, and the future of African table tennis.
Back-to-back events: A strategic move
Describing the experience of hosting consecutive table tennis tournaments, Oshodi admitted it has been intense but worthwhile.
“Tedious, it’s been a pleasure but there’s been a lot of work. To have the events back-to-back was an idea we had because of travel cost. The idea was that when you bring people here, then they can play as many events as possible,” he explained.
“But that involves a lot of work, accommodation, transportation, security and the rest. Over the years, we’ve built a good team around hosting this kind of event in Lagos with over 200 people working. The media support has been great, the players, the standard of play has been very high, and we’ve managed to achieve a lot of things at the same time.”
Reclaiming Table Tennis glory
Decades ago, the Asoju-Oba tennis events used to be such a big deal in Lagos. It used to be on TV and many young people aspired to make a career of the sport. What are the plans to take the sport back to that?
“Well, it is. The main thing now is social media, Internet and YouTube, and we are there,” Oshodi affirmed. “Everything is there, it’s being watched live all over the world. These young players, especially at the youth level, have their parents and friends watching them from home. We are getting a lot of eyes on our sport.”
“China is the biggest supporter of table tennis in the world. They watch everything they get. And the quality is really what’s attracting people.”
According to Oshodi, the U19 level is thriving. “We’ve got about 10 players who could be in the world’s top 50. And it’s not just Egypt, talent is coming from across Africa. That makes me proud.”
He encouraged fans to search Africa Youth Table Tennis on YouTube to access match content.
“Now I’m getting feedback from a lot of people who would never have watched table tennis. The kids are happy. It’s not just playing, its bonding, learning from each other, and we’ve got some of the best coaches on the continent here. Catching them young is something that we need to do and that’s our focus.”
Grassroots development: The school link
We have seen 12-year-olds from Madagascar come here to thrill the crowds. Are there plans for table-tennis Championships in our primary and junior level secondary schools?
“The ATTF will not work directly with the schools but what we are doing is encouraging the member associations like the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation to run programs around the schools. Programs to catch them young,” Oshodi said.
“We are supporting with coaching and equipment, the basics they need.
Last year we had a Level One coaching course with 30 coaches from different regions. This year, our focus is a Level Two course. These coaches go back to their regions to impact the knowledge. We just need to get more equipment, get them out there, and I’m sure they can use them.”
A Female future?
On if there a special programme to produce women table-tennis players who will be able to replace the great Funke Oshinaike?
Oshodi admitted that female participation in table-tennis still trails behind the boys, calling it a key area of concern.
“If we have one weakness, it’s that,” he said. “The boys outnumber the girls four or five to one. Of course, there are a lot of reasons: cultural and funding,” he noted.
“But that’s one of the focuses of the ITTF. Gathering information and looking at guidelines and criteria for female participation, not just saying we want it, but finding the funding that will support it.”
At the Africa Youth Championships in Lagos, it was almost one to one. That’s what we need. Look at what Madagascar and Uganda are doing , it makes me proud. Table-Tennis is growing in Africa, but there’s still work to do.”
Financial growth: Making it attractive
On his plan to make the sport financially attractive in a country like ours?
“That’s how you really get players paid , you need to put money in the game. With our sponsors, we’re working hard now, increasing prize money all across the board,” Oshodi said.
“You saw at the WTT Contender, prize money went up by a lot from the last time, and even in local events, some top players have probably won 5–6 million naira so far this year each. And that is important. People try to underplay the value of money in sports, but we need money.”
“There’s basketball, football and others , so why would they come to table tennis? That’s why you need the funding. But again, the standard is fantastic, and that’s what the sponsors are seeing. That excites me.”
“If we call everybody again to come for the Festival of Table Tennis 2026, we already know they would come through. We are on the right path; we’re doing some things right. I always keep telling people, we keep growing. I hope that in the next couple of years, we keep doubling the prize.”
Oshodi’s vision is clear: grow the game, invest in young talent, close the gender gap, and build a structure that rewards excellence. With consistent international attention and a solid Nigeria hosting culture, African table tennis may well be entering its golden age, one backhand at a time.
