The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) may face the wrath of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) following the country’s absence from the 2023 World Youth Championships (WYC) in Slovenia.
Nigeria’s trio of Matthew Kuti, Muiz Adegoke and Matthew Fabunmi were listed among qualified players for the singles event at the WYC three months ago following their performance at the 2023 African Youth Championships held in Morocco earlier this year.
Nigeria’s participation at the African Youth Championships was made possible through ITTF Executive Vice President, Wahid Oshodi, and Vice President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Adesoji Tayo and friends of table tennis, who funded the trip to Morocco with assurance by the NTTF that government would refund and also sponsor the players to WYC.
Unfortunately the federation failed to get the funds from the ministry, hence the players were walked over in the singles and doubles events. Their absence from the championship may attract financial and ranking sanctions from the world body.
Angered by Nigeria’s continuous absence from its events, which most times altered their programme, an ITTF official, who pleaded anonymity, said: “This is very bad that it is happening in the WYC as only 32 entries and many players have not been able to play with the walkovers. It is a pity, but it frequently happens with African countries, especially Nigeria and nobody knows why they confirm participation, but don’t show up for the event.”
NTTF Secretary General, Dayo Abulude, explained that the lack of funds truncated the team’s participation, saying that several pleas to the Ministry failed to help the situation.
“It is the usual no fund syndrome that prevented the players from taking part in the WYC, as individuals helped the team to qualify through the continental tournament. All our budgets to the ministry are yet to be disbursed and funds borrowed for our participation are yet to be refunded. This is not encouraging for the players, and we hope things take shape for good in the New Year,” he added.
