The battle for regional table tennis supremacy kicks off on July 16 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, as top nations gather for the 2025 ITTF Africa West Regional Championships.
The tournament will serve as a qualifier for the African Championships later this year in Kigali, Rwanda, and will see host nation Nigeria face off against West Africa’s finest in team and singles events over four days.
While Nigeria has long dominated the region, recent upsets, most notably Togo’s shocking 3-2 win over Nigeria’s men’s team in 2024, have added intensity to this year’s competition.
Nigeria’s men’s squad features heavy hitters like Matthew Kuti, Taiwo Mati, Muiz Adegoke, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, and Matthew Fabunmi. They will face stiff competition from Togo team, led by U.S-based veteran Kokou Fanny, alongside Atarou Assou and Kossi Akakpo.
Ivory Coast enters the fray with Oba Oba Kizito, the first-ever regional champion, seeking his first gold after multiple near misses. He returns from Paris with renewed determination.
In the women’s category, Nigeria aims to extend its dominance despite the absence of reigning singles champion Hope Udoaka. Veteran Ajoke Ojomu will lead rising stars Aishat Rabiu and Aziza Sezuo in their title defence.
Team champions will be crowned on Thursday, July 17, with the singles finals scheduled for Saturday, July 19. All eyes are on Lagos as the region’s finest paddlers go head-to-head for glory and a place on the continent’s biggest stage.
