Defending champions Nigeria and Togo are gearing up for an intense battle at the 2025 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) West Africa Regional Championships, scheduled to take place from July 16 to 19 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
The four-day championship will bring together elite players from over ten West African nations, marking one of the most competitive editions in the tournament’s history.
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Nigeria, the region’s most successful team, will be aiming to retain the women’s team title it successfully defended in Lomé last year. Togo, on the other hand, will be looking to replicate its historic 3-2 victory over Nigeria in the men’s team final on home soil in 2024, a win driven by passionate home support.
This time, Togo will face stiffer opposition as they head into the tournament in Lagos, with heavyweights like Nigeria, Ghana, Benin Republic, and Côte d’Ivoire all eyeing the top spot. Burkina Faso, Guinea, Liberia, Niger Republic, and Sierra Leone complete the roster of participating nations — with some returning after years of absence.
In the singles category, Nigeria’s top-ranked star, Matthew Kuti, will be defending his men’s singles crown. Kuti made history last year by defeating Côte d’Ivoire’s Oba Oba Kizito 4-1 in the final to win his first regional title. A second consecutive victory would make him the first man to achieve back-to-back singles titles in the tournament’s history.
The women’s singles title, however, remains wide open following the absence of reigning champion Hope Udoaka of Nigeria, paving the way for new contenders to rise.
This year’s event also serves as a qualifier for the 2025 African Championships in Rwanda, adding further stakes for teams and players vying for continental glory.
With home advantage and the tournament’s largest squad, Nigeria will be looking to reclaim its dominance in the men’s team event and reaffirm its supremacy in regional table tennis.
Ferdinand Sonou, Vice President of the ITTF Africa West Region, expressed his excitement about returning to Lagos for the championship.
“I’m thrilled we’re back in Nigeria. It’s always a favourite destination for visiting teams due to the country’s strong hosting record,” Sonou said.
“This tournament marks the beginning of a busy international calendar in Lagos, and I’m confident we’ll see new talents emerge alongside our top stars.”
He also applauded ITTF Africa President Wahid Enitan Oshodi for his continued support and leadership, highlighting the growth in participation as proof of the federation’s dedication to advancing the sport across West Africa.
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