Seven-time Olympian Funke Oshonaike has called for a complete grassroots rebuild of Nigerian table tennis, stressing the need to develop younger players and provide better support structures to revive the country’s fortunes on the international stage, www.aclsports.com reports.
Speaking during the 2026 WTT Contender Lagos on Sunday, Oshonaike expressed delight at returning home to witness the growth of the tournament, while lamenting the absence of Nigerian players in the latter stages of the competition.
“I don’t want to go back, I just want to stay here. It has been so wonderful,” she said.
“I went to Abuja for a local meeting to represent the Athletes’ Commission and thought to myself, ‘Let me use the opportunity to come for the WTT too.’ I’m so happy to see what is going on right here.”
She praised the international standard of the competition but expressed disappointment that Nigerian players did not progress deep into the tournament.
“You can see players coming from all over the world, but unfortunately Nigerians are not there in the semi-finals. It pains me so much, but it’s good to see so many athletes in the world of table tennis,” she added.
Reacting to concerns raised by African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) president Enitan Oshodi about the slow development of women’s table tennis in Nigeria, she noted that the country must return to grassroots development, drawing inspiration from Egypt’s model.
“I think we have to do what the Egyptians did some years ago when we used to dominate Africa and win several gold medals,” she said.
“We have to start from the beginning. Funke Oshonaike left, Edem left, Cecilia left, all the good players left at the same time, but unfortunately, we don’t have athletes ready to take over from us.”
“The players competing right now are relatively older because in world table tennis nowadays, you see 14- and 15-year-olds competing at the top level. Hana Goda defeated me when she was 15, but we don’t have that kind of system in Nigeria right now.”
She stressed the importance of identifying and nurturing talent from an early age.
“We have to start all over again from eight, nine and 10-year-olds. Those should be the players representing Nigeria so they can develop the way the Egyptians did,” she said.
Oshonaike also noted that Nigeria has no shortage of talent but lacks proper coaching and mentorship structures.
“We have a lot of talented players in Nigeria, but they need proper training, good coaches and mentors who can guide them like parents. If we can get that right, we will return to the top level,” she added.
Defending Nigerian star Olajide Omotayo amid criticism over his inconsistency on the international stage, she highlighted the financial burden facing players.
“He’s my son,” she said. “While he is improving, others are improving too. Nobody is lagging behind in world table tennis anymore.
“You need to attend competitions regularly. How many competitions does he go for? Most times, he is expected to fund himself, and it is very expensive.
“If you want to compete at WTT Championships, you may have to pay about $250 or €250 per day. Without sponsorship, how is he supposed to cope?”
She stressed that Omotayo’s performances remain strong at club level but emphasized the need for stronger support systems.
“He is playing well at his club and doing well, but he needs more sponsors and support. It’s not that he is not improving; others are simply improving too,” she said.
The veteran, who also serves on the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission, revealed plans to restart her development clinic in Nigeria, with a stronger focus on nurturing young female players.
“I have a lot of things to do in my life right now. I’m a mother, I’m a nurse, and I also work with the IOC Athletes’ Commission, which gives me the opportunity to speak for athletes in Nigeria and around the world,” she said.
“The next thing I’m thinking about is bringing back my clinic, which I started some time ago. I stopped because of school, but I graduated last year and I’m more relaxed now.
“I really want to do something, especially for the girls, but I cannot do it alone. If I can get sponsors, by God’s grace, if not this year, then next year I will start a big clinic.”
