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Nigeria Table Tennis Federation.....
Nigeria Table Tennis Federation.....
TO establish and efficient Federation that is well equipped with professional coaches and administrators, equipment, good facilities for the development of Sport of Table Tennis
To develop and provide high quality coaching, technical assistance through modern educational methods for improvement of our players.
Table Tennis was introduced in Nigeria in the early Thirties by some British seamen who berthed their ships in the Lagos lagoon, which is in the South West of Nigeria.
Unconfirmed reports had it that the game had its origin in the kitchen, played between Mum and Dad with potatoes used as balls and frying pans used as bats and played across the table.
The game gained its popularity among Lagos youths who were then members of various Boys and Girls Clubs in the City. It soon spread to neighbouring Cities in the South, which are Enugu and Calabar classified under the South East and South South region of Nigeria.
There were no set rules and equipment for the game at that time. Any wooden material of whatever size passed as a table and a piece of string was pulled across the table to divide it into two equal sides.
There was nothing like faulty service, you did not need to place the ball on your palm and project it upward b before the bat contact. That was over stretching oneself. Nobody stopped you from hiding the ball under the table. Even if you had both the bat and ball behind your body, you were still making a legitimate service. Winning a point was depended on how much you can spin the ball during the service. There was nothing like a standard BAT, as anything flat with or without a handle will pass for a BAT.
A game was won if you were able to pile up ten points without conceding any point. At the scores of eleven – one, it was ‘ A CANTAB first DEGREE’ twelve points two; another ‘CANTAB second DEGREE’ thirteen – three was yet another ‘CANTAB third DEGREE’ and so on.
The adage ‘ATTACK’ is the best form of defence was consider vague. A good defensive player was the darling of the spectators and his returns were divine intervention played some part of the ball.
But as the years passed by, players learnt the rudiments of the game through some expatriates who came to Nigeria from different parts of the World. One such expatriate was a gentleman called Jack Williams Farnsworth.
Jack Williams Farnsworth is from Drifield Yorkshire, North England. He was an Insurance man by profession; he was posted to Nigeria as the Chairman of Guinea Insurance Company, an affiliated of BWAC [British West Africa Company].
Jack W. Farnsworth will be remembered for his memorable contributions to Sports in general and Table Tennis in particular in Nigeria. He was the leader of the Nigerian contingent to the Commonwealth Games in Vancouver in 1954 where Nigeria won a silver medal in Athletics and bronze in Boxing.
On the twenty-first of November 1949, Jack Farnsworth gathered a few friends both Nigerians and British, after some useful discussions, formed what was known as the Lagos and District Table Tennis Association. The venue of the meeting was BWAC Nigeria Limited at Marina, Lagos. Nigeria and about thirty delegates from twenty clubs attended the inauguration ceremony. Mr Fransworth was unopposed as Chairman, Mr Ganiyu Finnih a Nigerian, popularly known as Ta Popular was elected the first Honorary Secretary.
In the same year, the association was formed; Lagos and environs were divided into four zones for its very first league competition. The club were Atomic club from Mainland, Meredith club from Island, Police and Fire Brigade club and Tinubu club. In 1950, it organized Lagos championships for male players to determine who the best was. AOvbiagele defeated H. Drake, an expatriate from Coasters to become the very first Lagos Men’s singles champion.
In 1950 and 1951 seasons, the zoning system gave way for divisions. We had divisions 1, 2 and certain rules were introduced. For a Team to be division 1, it must have an indoor hall.
In January 19, 1951, the same people met to form the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation with Chief Jack Farnsworth elected as the first Chairman.
The formation of NTTA gave to numerous activities/events such as the first International Table Tennis competition between a club from Gold Coast and a club from Lagos. The competition was tagged the first Lagos – Accra competition. The Gold Coast Team ran away victorious against the Nigeria counterpart by 24 games to 12. The return leg in 1952 in Accra saw a better prepared Nigeria Team captained by Chinwuba, a police officer running away victorious with 6 games to 3.
The scope of the sport was expanded beyond Lagos and its surroundings. Players from Ibadan, Abeokuta were invited to participate in a National competition.
In 1953, Mr Jack Fransworth donated a trophy for Inter – School competition for Schools in the Federation. The competition was played on Knock out basis and Eko Boys High School was the first winner of the cup. The game of Table Tennis spread like ‘wide fire’ to all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.
In appreciation of his contribution for the development of Sports in Nigeria. Mr Jack Fransworth was conferred with the chieftaincy of ‘BABA EWE’ [Father of Youths] by the tradition ruler of Lagos at his palace. Henceforth, Mr Fransworth was introduced and known as Chief Jack Williams Fransworth. Another name that readily comes to mind when you talk of Table Tennis development in Nigeria is Dr.Adegboyega Efunkoya.
The coming of Adegboyega Efunkoya on the board of Nigeria Table Tennis Association brought in another momentum to Table Tennis in Nigeria in 1962; he became a member of the board of Nigeria Table Tennis Association [NTTA] by co-option. By 1963, he was called to duty to be the chairman of NTTA, from then onward; Nigeria Table Tennis as never looked back on its quest to be a force to reckon with in the game of Table Tennis in the World. It is in the regime of this respectable surgeon that Table Tennis in Nigeria started to witness a phenomenal rise and successes it is enjoying up till today. Doctor as he was called by his admirers is the longest serving Chairman of Nigeria Table Tennis Association. His love and unquenchable interest for the growth of Table Tennis cannot be under estimated. Until his death, he was a devoted Table Tennis crusader.
A medical doctor of repute, Dr Adegboyega Efunkoya was the Chairman of NTTA from 1963 – 1981 contributing significantly to the development of the sports in Nigeria. It was during his tenure as Chairman that investment in Table Tennis as a sport was overwhelming, thus leading to the emergence of stars like Solomon Bamigbade, Lassey Wilson, Waheed Dawodu, Philip Santos, Babatunde Obisanya, Lekan Fanuyi, Lateef Sunmola, Atanda Musa etc.
Mable Imokhuede [late Mrs.Segun George] was the first female of note to emerge in the Nation. Her first major exposure to the limelight was in 1954 when she played Mrs. Hunt, a very skilful player at the final of the maiden edition of the Female Singles Competition in Lagos. Mabel lost the match but went into the records as the first Nigerian Woman to attain that height.
There are players that you hardly forget when writing the history of Table Tennis in Nigeria.
They are:
Male:
Olu Ayanlaja, Lassey Wilson, Lateef Sunmola , J.A. Kotun, Babatunde Obisanya, Late Mufutau Oduntan, Kasali Lasisi, Waheed Dawodu, Atanda Musa, P. Santos, Solomon Bamgbade, Francis Sule, L. Akanmu, Abass Ekun, Lekan Fanuyi, Sunday Eboh, Waidi Ekun, Kunle Maja, M.B. Alagbada, Late Yomi bankole, Sule Olaleye, Titus Omotara, Fatai Adeyemo Segun Toriola, Monday Merotohun, KazeemNasiru ,Late Seun Ajetunmobi, Ayemojuba Sau etc..
Female:
Olawunmi Majekodunmi, B. Popoola, Dr. Cecilia Arinye, Engore Fabgenle, Dupe Beyioku, Kuburat Owolabi, Bose Kaffo, Funke Oshonaike, Biola Odunmosu, Omowunmi Johnson, Mary Nwaka, Ethel Jacks, Iyabo Akanmu etc…
S.Olaleye,
T.Ogunride,A.Musa
Olawunmi Majekodunmi
O.Makekodumi , K.Lasisi
Late.Yomi Bankole
Babatunde Obisanya
From administering table tennis in Lagos State, Wahid Oshodi was elected the President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and his emergence brought vibrancy to the sport.
His ingenuity coupled with his leadership acumen were instrumental to the discovery of new players including the current African champion, Quadri Aruna.
It was during his tenure that Nigeria returned to the global map of table tennis with the hosting of the Lagos Table Tennis Classics which later metamorphosed to the now rested ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open. This tournament became a rallying point for players across the world and Nigeria was christened the hub of table tennis in Africa.
Apart from the involvement of foreign players, local players gained from competing in the competition with some of them signing lucrative professional contract in Europe.
Oshodi’s Midas Touch earned him an appointment with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) as he became the chairman of the Nomination Committee of the world body.
Several tournaments were organised while table tennis gained its prominence among Nigerians while Nigeria became a Mecca of table tennis in Africa.
Africa Championships
Men’s Singles Champions from 1976 – 1989, 1991,,93, 99, 2001 & 2002
Women’s Singles Champions from 1976 – 1979, 1981, 99, 2001 & 2002
Women’s Doubles Champions from 1980 – 1992 and 1998
Men’s Doubles Champions from 1976 – 1988, 92, 96, 2000 and 2002
Mixed Doubles Champions from 1968 – 1994
Men’s Team Champions from 1968 – 1994
Women’s Team Champions from 1974 – 1988, 92, 94
ALL AFRICA GAMES:
Champions in:-
Men’s Singles 1973 – 1999, 2003, 2007
Women’s Singles 1978 – 1999, 2003 and 2011
Men’s Doubles 1973 – 1999, 2003, 2007
Women’s Doubles 1973 – 2011
Men’s Team 1973 – 2003
Women’s Team 1973 – 2007
Mixed Doubles 1973 – 2011
Nigeria Table Tennis Team has constantly won all the seven available Gold medals in All Africa Games since Egypt 1991 to 2003.
Nigeria only won 4 Gold medals out of the 7 Gold medals at stake in 2007. The Gold medals were in Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Men’s Singles and Women’s Team.
At the last All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique, Nigeria came 2nd behind Egypt with 3 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals. The Gold medals were in the Mixed Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Women’s Singles.
COMMONWEALTH CHAMPIONSHIPS
Champions in:
Atanda Musa won gold medal Men’s in Singles Bombay, India 1982
Atanda Musa & Sunday Eboh won gold medal in Men’s doubles Bombay, India 1982.
Atanda Musa & Francis Sule won gold medal in Men’s doubles Douglas, Isle of man 1985.
Segun Toriola ,Monday Merotohun , Sau Ayemojubba , Saka Suraju won gold medal in Men’s Team New Delhi ,2001
Monday Merotihun & Kazeem Nosiru won gold medal in Men’s double Jaipur , India 2007.
COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Segun Toriola was the first African that won a Gold medal in the Men’s Singles held in Manchester, England in July, 2002.
Segun Toriola ,Sau Ayemojuba ,Monday Merotohun ,Kazeem Nosiru & Saka Suraju won silver medal in Men’s team manchestrer , 2002
Segun Toriola and Monday Merotohun won gold medal in the Men’s Doubles in Melbourne, 2006.
Segun Toriola , Monday Merotohun ,Kazeem Nosiru , Tajudeen Jegede & Seun Ajetunmobi (late) won bronze medal in Men’s team Melbourne , 2006.
Segun Toriola won bronze in men’s single in Melbourne ,2006.
Segun Toriola ,Aruna Quadri ,Bode Abiodun ,Jide Ogidiolu & ojo Onaolapo won bronze medal in Men’s team Scotland , 2014.
Aruna Quadri won sliver medal in men’s single in Gold coast ,2018
Segun Toriola ,Aruna Quadri ,Bode Abiodun ,Olajide Omotayo & Azeez Jamiu won sliver medal in Men’s team Gold coast , 2018.
INTERCONTINENTAL CUP
The Men’s Team in October, 2010 won the Intercontinental Cup in Dubai defeating U.A.E, Australia and Canada
Nigeria Olympic players are :
Male players :
Atanda Musa, Yomi Bankole, Titus Omotara, Fatai Adeyemo, Sule Olaleye, Segun Toriola, Monday Merotohun, Kazeem Nosiru, Peter Akinlabi, Aruna Quadri, Bode Abiodun, Olajide Omotayo.
Female players:
Kubrat Owolabi, Iyabo Akanmu, Bose Kaffo, Funke Oshonaike, Abiola Odumosu, Kehinde Okenla, Atisi Owoh, Offiong Edem, Cecilia Akpan.
Segun Toriola and Funke Oshonaike are first Nigerian and African entered into history book of legend ( Club 7 ) as rare athletes to have competed seven times at the Olympics games.
Segun Toriola biggest achievement at the Olympics has been reaching the Men’s Singles 1/16 final at the 2008 Summer Olympic in Beijing, China and Aruna Quadri biggest achievement at the Olympics has been reaching the Men’s Singles 1/8 final at the 2016 Summer Olympic in Rio, Brazil also his first Africa player to reaching 1/8 final.
Jean M.Saive , Segun Toriola, Ex ittf president Thomas Weikert, Funke Oshonaike , Zoran Primorac , Jorgen Persson
Fatai Adeyemo
Atanda Musa
Sule Olaleye
Segun Toriola
Bose Kaffo
ROAD TO RIO 2016 PROGRAMME GUIDING PRINCIPLES
To assist and prepare elite Athletes in their preparation and qualification for the Games of the XXX1 Olympiad RIO 2016
OBJECTIVES
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation development program is the core component of our Athletes development model targeting prospects from different States of the Federation.
The aims include but not limited to:
To provide high quality coaching to our young talented Athletes and opportunities for our coaches in professional training environment
To provide highly technical assistance to our coaches through modern educational methods
To grow and develop our Sport in areas not yet tapped
IMPLEMENTATION
In conjunction with ITTF, we offer training assistance to players and coaches
To add to existing program of the Federation
Provide the targeted Athletes with the best equipment, facilities and training
To ensure that coaches are proactive and instrumental in all aspects of the Athletes pathway management at such a concept
We will focus on training opportunity with linked competitions
Assist and prepare our elite Athletes in their preparation and qualification for the Games of the XXX1 Olympiad, RIO 2016
| # | HAIRMEN | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
1 | Mr Jack Farnsworth | 1951 – 1963 |
2 | Mr Adegboyega Efunkoya | 1963-1981 |
3 | Mr C.A.H.S. Bako | 1981-1984 |
4 | Col. Sanni Bello | 1984-1985 |
5 | Engr. Dotun Segun | 1985–1993 |
6 | Dr.Cosmas Maduka | 1994-2009 |
7 | Hon. Kayode Abdulwahab – Omotose | 2009-2013 |
8 | Hon. Wahid Enitan Oshodi | 2013-2015 |
9 | Engr. Ishaku Tikon | 2015 Till Date |
| # | Secretaries | Year |
|---|---|---|
1 | Mr Jack Farnsworth | 1951 – 1963 |
2 | Mr.Musiliu Anibaba | 1963-1969 |
3 | Mr Charles O. Itabor [late] | 1970 - 1972 |
4 | Mr Matthew I. Osime [late] | 1972 – 1975 |
5 | Mr Patrick Okpomo [late] | 1975 – 1978 |
6 | Mr S.O. Lawal [late] | 1978 – 1980 |
7 | Mr Anthony Adeosun | 1980 – 1984 |
8 | Mrs Amelia Okpalaoka | 1984 – 1990 |
9 | Mr Angelo Baba | 1990 |
10 | Mrs Tayo Oreweme | 1990-1992 |
11 | Mr Patrick Uwagbale | 1992-1994 |
12 | Dr Simon Ebhojiaye | 1994-1998 |
13 | Mr Dans Adokiye | 1998-2004 |
14 | Mr Chimezie Onwu | 2004-2005 |
15 | Mr Segun Oguntade | 2005-2013 |
16 | Mr. Ademola Owoeye | 2013 May-October 2013 |
17 | Mrs. Joyce Chinedu Ezealah-Ogundare | 2013 May-2017 |
18 | Mr. Bola Adedeji | 2017 – 1st October, 2017 |
19 | Mr. Anthony Idaye | October 2017-2019 |
20 | Mr. James Eakanys | 2019-2021 |
21 | Mr. Chimezie Asiegwu | 2021-2022 |
22 | Mr. Oladayo Abulude | 2022-Till Date |
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation is affiliated to the following International Bodies
International Table Tennis Federation
Africa Table Tennis Federation
Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation
Nigeria Olympic Committee
The coming of Para-Table Tennis in Nigeria
In 1987, Para table tennis started in the SCIAN CENTRE, the rehabilitation centre for the disabled at Ikeja-Lagos, where most of the disabled people who reside at the centre use it as a recreation game, just to while away their time instead of just sitting down in the centre without doing anything, and its really help the disable people as at then.
The centre is controlled by the government then. A table tennis board was bought by the centre and they have sports officer in the centre then, Chief Yemi Bambgose is the major man that knows how to play then, and Coach Bello Nosiru was employed then by the centre to train those who has interest in the sports,
In 1988, we established a disabled table tennis club known as DISDAN, and our training venue then is at Oluwalemu sports centre at Ikeja Lagos, we use to train there 3 times in a weak, until we finally relocate their training at the SCIAN centre later in the year with the help of Chief Yemi Bamgbose.
In 1989, at the kwara festival, the Para-Table Tennis which then is known as Disabled Table Tennis, took part in the festival as demonstration sports, But then it was not a scoring event.
In the same 1989, a disabled table tennis club known as ( DISDAN) as formed and introduced by some group of disabled players at OLuwalemu in ikeja local government and was headed by ( Chief Adeyemi Bamgbose, including , Cosmas Okoli, bimbo Agboola ( RIP ) Yekini salawu, and the coach Mr, Bello Nosiru., But before then, table tennis for the disabled was played and practise in SCIAN centre Ikeja-Lagos. With some group of disabled. Such as ( Yemi Bamgbose, Cosmas okoli, Bimbo Agboola, Yekini Salawu, Monday Emoghavwe, Innocent Nwabuane, Peter okoro, Mr, Norom, all the above. Names mentioned are all disabled people staying at the SCIAN centre in which the training is conducted by Coach Bello Nosiru as the Chief Table Tennis Coach to the disabled people in the centre.
In 1990, a national competition was sponsored by JOE Phillip Nigeria limited, makers of Joe Phillip body cream, and Winco Foam disabled table tennis competition was organized to select the players that will represent Nigeria at the world disabled table tennis championships, which was held in Stoke Mandeville-Aylesbury-United Kingdom. 14 of July 1990..
The winco foam championships was organized for the DISDAN in March 1990, at the multi-purpose hall of the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos.
After the Winco foam competition, the DISDAN member were called for a meeting by DR, Andrew Ajidua, who was then the chairman NSAD ( Nigeria Sports Association For the Disabled ) with his member held a meeting with the members of the DISDAN in the NSAD office to deliberate on how to form Nigeria team among the disabled players to represent Nigeria at the world game in UK at that year in 1990. After the meeting, they reach an agreement to invite players into camp for preparation towards the game.
This is the coming of the Para-Table Tennis in Nigeria and this is the year it is recognized, and how it was finally come to stay.
1n march 1990, Five ( 8 ) disabled table tennis players who came successful during the Winco foam competition were invited into the first national camp at the National Games Village Hostel at Surulere Lagos, the who were invited ! just to mentioned few of them are , Cosmas Okoli, Muritala Ibrahim RIP, bimbo Agboola, Moshood Shodipo, Preye! Samuel Nehemia, Adeyemi Bamgbose, and coach Bello Nosiru was invited as the coach to the team, since he has been doing the job of the disable table tennis coaching.
During the camping, we organized a trial for the players and the above mentioned names qualified to represent Nigeria at the world table tennis championships. Among those that went for the games in uk are as follows:- 1. Muritala Ibrahim RIP. 2, Cosmas Okoli. 3. Adeyemi Bamgbose. 4. Bimbo Agboola. 5. Samuel Nehemia, OFFICIALs are:- 1. Prof, Dr, Andrew Ajidua RIP. 2. Major, P.O. Mogbo, Military medical Personal and a member of the board of NSAD. 3. Mrs, Uche, NSC reps. 4. Coach Bello Nosiru, just to mention few among them, and at the competition, Nigeria came second on the overall medal table by winning, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze medals,
When the team came back from the trip, Federal Government of Nigeria, give monetary cash award to the Team, while coach Bello Nosiru who coached the Team was given an automatic employment with the NSC, as the coach to the disabled in Nigeria on the 14th of August 1990.
In 1991, at the All African Games in Egypt, the disabled table tennis won all the gold medals in the games and we came first position on the medal table in Para-Table tennis.
In 1992, Barcelona Paralympics Games in Belgium, Nigeria Para Table Tennis record their first Paralympics ever, and won nothing but due participation.
In 1993, Nigeria Para Table Tennis was invited to participate in the world invitation table tennis in France-Argentan, and Nigeria did very well, and we came 3rd position, while Nigeria record a player on World Para Table Tennis ranking on position No. 5 in person of Sule Nasiru.
1995. Nigeria participated in the World Games in UK, and we did very well by winning Silver and Bronze medals.
In 1996, nigeria para table tennis players recorded their second Paralympics participation, in Atlanta Georgia- USA, Sule Nasiru won a bronze medal in the class 5 event, it is at this Atlanta Georgia that the Para Table Tennis record their first Paralympics medal. Sule nasiru because of his good performance at the Atlanta game, he was honour by the government with an MON award.
In most of the African games which include Para Table Tennis, Nigeria Para Table Tennis team always win all their event in the African games.
In year 2000, Nigeria Para table tennis team won their first Gold medal , they won 2Gold and 1 bronze Medal , the medals were won by ( Agunbiade Tajudeen, Olufemi Alabi and Adisa Tunde,
the trio disabled players won the Gold medal in the team event, While Agunbiade Tajudeen won the only Gold Medal in the Open singles event. The outing of the Nigeria disabled table tennis team to the sydney 2000 was an historical one, because nobody believe that we could win such 2 Gold medals recorded.
In 2002, the All African games in Nigeria, COJA Abuja, and the Nigeria Para Table Tennis team of 18 players played in the game and won all their event, and even came first on the Para Table Tennis medals table in the events.
In 2003, Nigeria Para table tennis participated in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester-UK, 3 female Para table tennis players participated in the game and 2 of the lost in the quarter final.
In 2006, Nigeria female players participated in the commonwealth games in Australia, and won a silver and bronze medals, the players are as follows:- 1. Faith Obiora. 2. Vivian Ozurumba. 3. Konwea Philomena.
In 2010. Nigeria again took part in the Commonwealth Games in India, and Nigeria won 1 Gold and 1 bronze. Thus players are as follows: 1. Faith Obiora, 2. Oputa Kate. Oputa Kate won the Gold medal, while Obiora Faith won the bronze medal.
Till date Para Table Tennis is doing better in the Sport of Table Tennis.
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