INTERVIEW: We’re grooming Nigeria’s next Aruna Quadri

In the heart of Lagos, where five international table tennis tournaments are unfolding in just four weeks plus, Nigeria is making a bold statement to the rest of the world; the sport has found a true home in Africa’s most populous nation.

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At the centre of this momentum is Tayo Adesoji, Vice President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF). In this exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES at the WTT Contender Lagos, Mr Adesoji shares deep insight into Nigeria’s ongoing transformation in the sport, the growing influx of global talent into Lagos, and the deliberate nurturing of the next generation of champions.

Excerpts…

PT: You’re witnessing five back-to-back table tennis events hosted here in Lagos, the WTT tournament, the Hopes event, and more. As NTTF Vice President, how exciting has this run been for you?

Adesoji: Absolutely exciting! I’m sure you’re thrilled too, just as we are at the NTTF. Hosting five high-profile competitions in quick succession is no small feat, and it’s a direct result of having the President of the African Table Tennis Federation; our own Wahid Enitan Oshodi, steering the ship for Nigeria.

This run has made it clear: Nigeria truly is the giant of African table tennis. We’re the number one on the continent, and the rest of the world is starting to see why.

We began with the West African Championships, then the WTT Contender Lagos. This week alone, we’ve kicked off the African Junior Championships, just after hosting the African Cup and the Hopes Programme for U-12 athletes. That’s five competitions in under a month. It shows global confidence in Nigeria, particularly Lagos, as a reliable host of world-class table tennis.

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PT: Let’s turn to player development. In local tournaments, names like Matthew Kuti and Abdulbasit are thriving. But internationally, especially at the WTT level, Nigerian players have struggled. Why is there such a gap in performance?

Adesoji: Great question, and the answer is layered. What you’re seeing is the reality of a transition period in Nigerian table tennis. We’re in between generations. Aruna Quadri is nearing 40. Segun Toriola and Funke Oshonaike have bowed out. Maba just exited the scene. These were our legends.

Now, players like Abdulbasit, Kuti, and Azeez Solanke; they’re all under 21. These are kids going toe-to-toe with seasoned professionals who’ve played in up to 17 WTT events and eight World Championships. Kuti, for instance, just played his first WTT and second World Championship. The learning curve is steep.

In table tennis, you have to lose, and lose big, before you start winning. That’s the reality of elite sports. Our young stars are getting that exposure now, and that “beating” will soon turn into dominance.

PT: So in essence, they’re being built to become Nigeria’s next generation of war horses?

Dr. Adesoji: Exactly. That’s our goal; to raise the next Aruna, the next Toriola. And we’re already seeing signs of success. We’ve told the current players: you’re not yet in the national team; you’re in the frame. More talent is coming through and will challenge you.

For the women too; we have girls as young as 14 and 15 holding their own at continental level. Apart from Ajoke Ojomu, the rest are new faces. They qualified from the group stage, even if they lost in knockouts. That’s progress.

PT: Let’s talk timelines. How long do you project this transition phase is going to last? Three years? Five?

Adesoji: Normally, for a young table tennis player to reach world-class level, it takes four to five years. That’s been the case with Aruna, Toriola, Funke. But I believe our current crop is ahead of schedule.

Why? Because look at how they’re already competing with Egypt; our biggest rivals at youth level. In the U-19 African Championships, our players are not just qualifying; they’re reaching finals.

I’m optimistic that within two years, we’ll start seeing them not just shine in Africa but compete at global level. And from there, we’ll truly know we’re back.

PT: So Nigeria isn’t just hosting, we’re building?

Adesoji: Absolutely. Hosting is just the platform. The real work is grooming. And we’re doing that, brick by brick. You’ll see the results sooner than you think.

With this clear roadmap and institutional support, Nigeria’s table tennis future is no longer a hopeful project; it’s a mission in motion. And as Mr Adesoji rightly puts it, the rest of the world is finally paying attention.