Nigeria’s table tennis sensation, Quadri Aruna, has once again decried what he described as years of neglect and poor treatment from the Nigerian government, despite his historic achievements on the world stage.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, Aruna detailed how, for more than 15 years, he has relied largely on private sponsors and personal sacrifices to sustain his career, with little or no support from the country he represents internationally.
|
|
Aruna, who is Africa’s highest-ranked player and widely celebrated for his resilience and unique attacking style, said the neglect has not only hampered his own progress but also threatens the future of younger Nigerian talents.
Tournaments without a coaches
The 36-year-old recalled moving to Portugal 15 years ago to play professionally in the Portuguese Super League, where he enjoyed steady competition and support from Wahid Enitan Oshodi, a private benefactor, now President of the Africa Table Tennis Federation. Oshodi’s assistance, he said, helped him rapidly improve at a time when the Nigerian government offered no backing.
|
|
|
|---|
“With zero support from Nigeria government, I played 99% of the tournaments without a coach and I travelled most of the time alone,” Aruna wrote.
He cited the 2014 ITTF World Cup in Düsseldorf as a turning point. His then-sponsor, Joola, provided him with a German coach, while Oshodi paid for his travel and accommodation. That combination, Aruna said, propelled him to a historic quarter-final finish, the first by an African player.
Similarly, in the build-up to the 2016 Rio Olympics, Oshodi again intervened, securing a rare Nigerian sponsor, betting company Babajebu. Aruna credited the three-year deal with helping him prepare adequately for Rio, where he stunned the world by reaching the quarter-finals—the best-ever Olympic performance by an African table tennis player.
Government support “limited to one tournament”
Beyond those rare interventions, Aruna said, his story has been one of self-sponsorship and abandonment.
“Year after year, I keep playing without a coach because Nigeria refused to support me. If I feature in 12 tournaments in a year, Nigeria only pays for one tournament, which is mostly an African event. The rest are self-sponsored or supported by my sponsor, GEWO,” he lamented.
His most recent experience, he revealed, was at the 2025 World Championships in Doha, Qatar, where he had to purchase his own ticket after Nigerian officials failed to act on time.
He also narrated how his coach, Dotun Omoniyi, who guided him to two early victories, was abruptly told to return home because the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation said there was no money to reschedule his ticket. Aruna said he later paid a friend from Togo to extend his trip and coach him in the knockout rounds. With that help, he reached the Round of 16.
A decorated career with little recognition
Aruna has over the years broken multiple barriers for African table tennis:
In 2014, he became the first African to reach the quarter-finals of the ITTF World Cup.
In 2016, he reached the quarter-finals of the Rio Olympics, defeating several higher-ranked opponents.
He has consistently ranked among the world’s top 20 players, peaking at World No. 10 in 2022, the highest ever for an African.
He has won multiple ITTF Africa Cup titles, Commonwealth medals, and led Nigeria to continental glory.
Despite these achievements, Aruna has repeatedly complained of neglect by Nigerian sports authorities, who often only celebrate his victories but provide little institutional backing.
Sports analysts have often contrasted his struggles with the heavy investments other countries make in their athletes. In China, Japan, and Germany, for instance, elite table tennis players travel with teams of coaches, psychologists, and physiotherapists. By contrast, Quadri says he has spent most of his career travelling and competing alone.
Aruna’s call to action
The athlete ended his message with an appeal to Nigerian authorities to change course, not necessarily for his sake, but for the younger generation of players.
“It’s time. It’s very important Nigeria start to invest in the present young players to attend tournaments regularly,” he wrote.
The star, who remains Nigeria’s biggest sports export outside football and athletics, thanked his global supporters for standing by him and prayed for Nigeria’s progress.
Aruna’s latest outburst has once again put a spotlight on Nigeria’s sports administration, raising questions about why one of Africa’s most successful athletes continues to struggle for support from his home country.
BELOW IS THE FULL TEXT OF QUADRI ARUNA’S LAMENTATION
Fifteen (15) years ago,I arrived in Portugal to play as a professional table tennis player in Portuguese super league and almost every weekend I played league matches for my club, and internationally I was playing minimum of one tournament in a month with the support of Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi, the present president of Africa table tennis federation and this financial support from him made me improved rapidly.
With zero support from Nigeria government , I played 99% of the tournaments without a coach and I travelled most of the time alone.
2014 World Cup in Dusseldorf, my former sponsor (Joola) supported me with German coach called ADOMEIT while Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi paid for my flight ticket and hotel and the coach presence got me to quarter finals.
Years after, the same Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi got me the only sponsor ever I had from Nigeria, BABAIJEBU for three years and this played an important role in my 2016 RIO Olympic Games preparation where I got to quarter finals.
Year after year, I keep playing without a coach because Nigeria refused to support me and If I feature in 12 tournaments in a year, Nigeria only pay for one tournament which is mostly African tournament and rest of the tournaments are self sponsored and support from my sponsor GEWO.
READ ALSO: CitySports Africa hosts maiden edition of The Coaches Code Seminar Series in Lagos
2025 world championships in Doha,I bought my ticket myself because Nigeria refused to buy my ticket on time and I had to be in Doha days before my participation, I played my first two matches with coach Dotun Omoniyi and I felt totally comfortable with his words while playing, after winning my first two matches, Nigeria said coach Dotun could not continue to coach me because there was no money to change his flight that he had to return to Nigeria.
I later paid a friend from TOGO to change his flight to coach me in my round of 32 with the help of FANNY as my coach from Togo,I got to round of 16 in Doha world championships.
It’s time, it’s very important Nigeria start to invest in the present young players to attend tournaments regularly.
Thanks to everyone for the support over the years.
God bless Nigeria
Discover more from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
