<\/p>\n
By Vivian Ahanmisi<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lagos<\/p>\n
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) says the country will not be participating in this year\u2019s continental championships scheduled to hold between Oct. 18 and Oct 25, in Morocco.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
President of the federation, Mr Adesoji Tayo, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
According to him, this will be the first time Nigeria will be missing at the tournament.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The president explained that Nigeria\u2019s absence was as a result of non participation at the Western Region Championships in Conakry, Guinea.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He noted that the regional championships had served as the qualifying tournament for the continental showpiece.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cNigeria\u2019s quartet of Matthew Kuti, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, Favour Ojo and Khadijat Okanlawon had been scheduled to compete at the Conakry event.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the trip was cancelled because of a lack of funds, as the NTTF could not meet the rising costs, including the ongoing training camp for junior players at Babcock University in Ogun,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He added that in spite of the setback, the federation managed to send four cadet players; Umar Ayoola, Habeeb Adebayo, Emmanuella Shaibu and Elizabeth Emenike to Accra, Ghana, for the 2026 Africa Hopes Week and Challenge.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, a 16-man team led by both Kuti and Ojo is expected to depart for Accra this weekend to compete in the 2026 African Youth Championships and Cup.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tayo expressed regret over Nigeria\u2019s withdrawal from the Guinea tournament.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He explained that in spite of efforts to secure the team\u2019s participation, exorbitant flight costs and an alleged lack of support from the National Sports Commission (NSC) made the trip impossible.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the last two weeks, our young players have been in camp preparing for the three events in Ghana and Guinea.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWith support from friends of table tennis and the management of Babcock university, we provided a conducive environment for training and ensured that the cadet players heading to Ghana, departed last weekend.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, our request for NSC\u2019s support for the Guinea trip was unsuccessful and the prohibitive flight ticket prices forced us to withdraw.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThis competition also served as qualifiers for the 2026 African Championships in Morocco,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The NTTF president assured that Nigeria would be represented at the African Youth Championships in Ghana.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He, however, admitted that missing the regional tournament in Guinea could have lasting consequences, particularly for Nigeria\u2019s qualification prospects for the 2027 World Championships.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He added that the setback would also dent Nigeria\u2019s reputation as a table tennis powerhouse on the continent. (www.primerisenews.com)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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