Nigeria is notably absent from the 2024 ITTF Africa Youth Championships currently taking place in Gaborone, Botswana. Despite being one of Africa’s leading teams, Nigeria did not participate in this prestigious event.
In the 2023 edition held in Agadir, Morocco, Nigeria competed thanks to the funding from Friends of Table Tennis. However, despite qualifying for the 2023 ITTF World Youth Championships, the team could not participate due to logistical issues.
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After weeks of preparation, the players were informed they could not travel because the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) failed to secure the necessary support from the Federal Ministry of Sports Development.
This year, Botswana is making history by hosting the continent’s finest young players for the first time in African table tennis. The championships, which began on Monday, July 15, are being held at the Botho University Hall in Gaborone.
Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) President Motswagole Kudzanani highlighted the significance of hosting the tournament.
“Hosting provides a platform to build our capacity and expose our athletes to international standards. It also increases our brand visibility, showcasing our capabilities and helping us identify areas for growth,” he said.
The absence of Nigeria is a significant loss for the championships, given their high profile in African table tennis.
This year’s event sees an increased number of participating nations compared to 2023, with teams from Botswana, Congo DRC, Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho, Benin Republic, Guinea, Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa, Rwanda, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The seven-day continental championships also serve as African qualifiers for the 2024 ITTF World Youth Championships, scheduled for November in Helsingborg, Sweden.
Despite Nigeria’s absence, the event promises to be a thrilling showcase of young African talent and a crucial step for the participating nations on the international stage.
