Africa’s reigning men’s doubles champion, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, and Nigeria’s top-ranked female player, Hope Udoaka, have been named the top seeds in the singles category of the fifth edition of the Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championship, which officially began on Monday in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.
Abdulfatai, who fell just short of clinching the national title earlier this year after a narrow loss to Matthew Kuti, returns to the tournament with renewed determination to reclaim his place in the national team setup. His performance is one of the most anticipated at the five-day competition, which has drawn over 50 teams from various states across the federation.
Hope Udoaka, representing Cross River State, tops the women’s singles seeding list and will be gunning for her first title at the championship. Her key rival is defending champion Sukurat Aiyelabegan of Kwara State, who is also among the top contenders. Udoaka’s inclusion as the number one seed signals her rising dominance in the national table tennis scene and sets the stage for a thrilling women’s singles battle.
The championship was formally declared open by the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Prince Kola Adewusi, who added colour to the ceremony by taking part in an exhibition match against former African champion Saka Suraju. In his remarks, Adewusi commended the consistent support of the tournament’s sponsor, the Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Foundation, under the leadership of Ayodeji Alabi, for its steadfast investment in youth sports development.
He encouraged participants to seize the opportunity to showcase their skills, while also stressing the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving success. “Talent alone is not enough. It must be backed with dedication and discipline. I also urge our female athletes to take full advantage of this platform to elevate their presence in the sport and strive for national recognition,” he said.
The men’s singles field is loaded with high-profile talents, including defending champion Jamiu Ayanwale, Edo’s Amadi Omeh, Akinwale Fagbamila from Ondo, and Oyo State’s Azeez Waisu. The competition promises top-tier action as these contenders vie for supremacy and national ranking points.
On the women’s side, alongside Udoaka and Aiyelabegan, other seeded players include Lagos-based Bose Odusanya, Aminat Fashola, and Bisola Asaju of Kwara State—all seasoned competitors with a strong track record on the national circuit.
Organised by the Osun State Table Tennis Association and sanctioned by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), this year’s edition features prize money exceeding N11.5 million, further elevating the prestige of the tournament. The event continues to serve as a vital platform for discovering and nurturing talents in the sport, while also promoting grassroots development and healthy competition among states.
As the championship unfolds, fans and stakeholders across the nation will be watching closely to see who emerges victorious in what is already shaping up to be a fiercely contested event.
