Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation and President of the African Table Tennis Federation, Waheed Enitan Oshodi, has identified the transition of talented youth players into senior-level stars as Nigeria’s biggest challenge in table tennis.
Speaking on the state of Nigerian table tennis, Oshodi admitted the country consistently produces highly gifted young players capable of competing with continental rivals such as Egypt.
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“Nigeria continues producing talented youngsters,” Oshodi said.
According to the table tennis administrator, the bigger issue has been helping those players successfully establish themselves at senior level competitions.
“The transition to the senior team is the real challenge,” he implied.
Oshodi acknowledged that Nigerian table tennis icon Aruna Quadri has carried much of the responsibility for the senior national team over the years.
“Aruna has carried the team for a long time,” he noted.
Despite the concerns, Oshodi expressed optimism about the next generation of Nigerian players coming through the ranks.
“There is still plenty of potential,” he added.
The administrator also stressed the importance of stronger support systems, funding, and development structures to help young players compete consistently at the highest level.
“These players need better support and investment,” he stressed.
Nigeria remains one of Africa’s strongest table tennis nations but continues searching for the next generation capable of dominating internationally.
“The future still looks promising,” many table tennis observers believe.
For Oshodi, the message is clear.
Nigeria already has talented youth players.
The challenge is developing them into elite senior stars.
And proper support will determine the future success of Nigerian table tennis.
Because talent alone is never enough without structure, funding, and long-term development.
