Nigeria’s Wahid Oshodi has made history with his appointment to the board of World Table Tennis (WTT), the commercial arm of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).
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The announcement came during the ITTF Executive Board meeting on March 1, 2026, at WTT Headquarters in Singapore.
Following portfolio allocations, ITTF President Petra Sörling and Executive Vice President Oshodi were named to represent ITTF on the WTT Board. At the subsequent meeting, Sörling was confirmed as Chair of the Board, succeeding China’s Liu Guoliang and Qatar’s Khalil Al-Mohannadi.
As the majority owner of WTT, ITTF emphasized its responsibility to ensure that the commercial platform generates sustainable value for the sport and its 227 Member Associations worldwide.
These appointments reflect that responsibility and signal ITTF’s commitment to closer oversight of WTT’s governance and strategic direction. Lei Zhenjian and Steve Dainton remain on the Board in their roles as representative of World Sports and WTT Chief Executive Officer, respectively.
“The ITTF has always been the foundation on which table tennis thrives, and WTT is our instrument to take it further,” said Sörling. “As Chair of the Board, I am here to ensure that WTT operates with profitability, governance, accountability, and long-term vision. The potential is significant, and what we owe players, fans, and the broader table tennis community is the discipline to realise it.”
Oshodi, who also serves as President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ITTF Africa), underscored his commitment: “Strong governance is what gives an organisation the structure to grow sustainably. I look forward to contributing to that work as the Board focuses on putting solid foundations in place for WTT’s long-term development.”
His appointment marks a historic milestone, making Oshodi the first African to serve as a full director on the WTT Board.
Since its creation in 2019, WTT has reshaped professional table tennis with a modern, commercially driven approach.
Oshodi’s inclusion reinforces African representation in global sports governance and highlights his role as a trailblazer within ITTF leadership.
Oshodi first came to prominence as President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), where he spearheaded reforms to improve governance, transparency, and athlete development. His tenure was marked by a renewed focus on grassroots programmes and talent identification.
Rising to become President of ITTF Africa, Oshodi strengthened the continent’s voice within global table tennis, championing initiatives to expand access, improve coaching standards, and create pathways for African athletes to compete internationally.
His re-election as ITTF Executive Vice President placed him at the heart of global decision-making, cementing his reputation for integrity, inclusivity, and vision.
Oshodi’s appointment to the WTT Board is both a personal achievement and a continental milestone.
It symbolises Africa’s growing influence in international sports governance and underscores the continent’s role in shaping the future of table tennis worldwide.
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