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Ernest Victor
Guest
The newly elected President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Wahid Oshodi, has articulated a vision aimed at revitalizing and promoting table tennis across the continent.
Wahid Oshodi’s priorities focus on growth and youth development, crucial elements he believes are necessary for elevating the sport’s profile in Africa.
Following his unanimous election in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Oshodi addressed the media, where he expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support he received from the federation’s members.
He underscored the significance of building on the strong foundation established by his predecessor, saying, “We must give kudos to the outgoing president. A lot of hard work has been done. Now it’s time to bring table tennis to the forefront in Africa.”
He noted the current popularity of sports like athletics, basketball, and football, asserting, “I think we can catch up with them.”
Drawing from his extensive experience as the former Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development, Oshodi placed a strong emphasis on nurturing young talent, which he views as essential for the sport’s future.
“My focus in table tennis ever since I was chairman in Lagos has been youth development,” he reiterated. “We have so much talent, as we’ve seen in our youth tournaments all over Africa, but now is the time to get them playing.”
Wahid Oshodi, now the second Nigerian to assume the presidency of ATTF after Segun George, acknowledged the need for African table tennis to align with global trends, particularly emphasizing that the best players worldwide are predominantly under the age of 20. “Our players have to be in that category,” he stressed, underscoring the urgency for youth engagement in the sport.
In his address, Oshodi also emphasized the crucial role of increased funding and corporate support in realizing these goals.
He noted a significant gap in financial backing that has hindered the sport’s growth in Africa, saying, “What has lacked in table tennis in Africa is the support from the corporate world. I believe we have the talent on this team to get the corporate world on board.”
Hence, he aims to cultivate partnerships that can provide the necessary resources to elevate the sport’s status.
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