NIGERIA AND TOGO SET TO DEFEND TITLES AT 2025 ITTF WEST AFRICA CHAMPIONSHIPS IN LAGOS
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Agency Report
Defending champions Nigeria and Togo are gearing up to retain their titles at the 2025 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa West Region Championships, scheduled to take place from July 16 to 19 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
The prestigious event, confirmed by ITTF Africa in a statement on Sunday, will feature over ten West African nations, marking a significant rise in participation from previous editions, which saw a maximum of nine countries.
Nigeria, the most decorated team in the region, will defend the women’s team title it successfully retained last year in Lomé, Togo. Meanwhile, Togo will aim for back-to-back victories in the men’s team category after edging Nigeria 3-2 in a thrilling 2024 final on home soil.
This year, Togo will face fierce competition from a motivated Nigerian team eager to reclaim the men’s title, alongside strong contenders from Benin Republic, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Liberia, Niger Republic, and Sierra Leone.
In the singles events, all eyes will be on Nigeria’s top-ranked player, Matthew Kuti, who is set to defend his men’s singles crown. Kuti claimed his first regional title in 2024 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire’s Oba Oba Kizito. A win this year would see him become the first male player to win consecutive singles titles in the tournament’s history.
The women’s singles competition promises a fresh face on the podium, with reigning champion Hope Udoaka, of Nigeria absent from the competition. Her absence opens the door for emerging talents across the region to make their mark.
Significantly, the Lagos championship will also serve as a qualifier for the 2025 African Championships to be held later this year in Rwanda.
Host nation Nigeria, boasting the largest squad and the support of a passionate home crowd, is targeting a dominant showing across all events especially in the men’s team category, where they narrowly missed gold last year.
Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Niger Republic are making their return to the championship after several years away, adding to the diversity and competitiveness of the tournament.
Expressing his excitement ahead of the event, Ferdinand Sonou, ITTF Africa West Region Vice President, praised Nigeria’s track record in hosting international competitions.
“I’m thrilled we’re back in Nigeria for the regional championships. It’s always a favourite for visiting teams,” said Sonou. “The tournament will undoubtedly showcase new talents while highlighting our region’s top stars. The Lagos crowd brings unmatched energy to every match.”
Sonou also lauded ITTF Africa President, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, for his continued support in developing table tennis across the region. He noted that the increasing number of participating countries reflects ITTF Africa’s commitment to expanding the sport’s reach.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 2025 West Africa Championships are expected to deliver intense action, emerging talents, and high-calibre table tennis throughout the four-day competition.
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