July 14, (THEWILL) — Nigeria claimed clear victory over the course of four days of competition at the ValueJet Lagos World Para Table Tennis Future event at Molade Okoya Thomas Hall in Surulere. Team Nigeria finished with a haul of 23 gold medals, 23 silver medals and 42 bronze, a total of 88 medals that marked them as clear leaders in the contest. Athletes from Ghana, Togo, the Benin Republic and Nigeria took part in the regional tournament, which also served as qualification for the first West African Para Games to be held in September.
The event drew 98 athletes from the participating nations, with 57 men and 41 women contesting in a range of singles, doubles and mixed doubles events. The staging of this championship represented a significant effort by the Sunday Odebode Para Sport Foundation in partnership with the National Sports Commission and the Lagos State Sports Commission under the leadership of Director General Lekan Fatodu. It drew praise at a press briefing before the start for its function in boosting talent development and sporting inclusion.
Competition on court featured several established Nigerian paraathletes. Tokunbo Alabi, a Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist, and Tajudeen Agunbiade, another bronze medallist from the same Games, were among the most visible names. Paris 2024 bronze medallist Isau Ogunkunle defended his men’s class 4 singles title with a 30 win over compatriot Timothy Umeh. Ogunkunle described the event as vital to his career, noting that it had first brought him into the public eye in 2019 and had helped him earn medals at two Paralympic Games. He affirmed that he was aiming even higher, targeting future medals in Los Angeles.
Female Nigerian players maintained the country’s dominance and reaffirmed its leadership in paratable tennis within the region, producing strong performances. Faith Obiora retained her title in the women’s class 5 singles event, defeating Kate Oputa. Kehinde Lawal captured gold in class 9 singles. Ivie Edogiaweire emerged victorious in class 10 after the previous champion, Faith Obazuaye, was absent from the competition.
For men, there were victories that reflected both depth and range in the Nigerian squad. Bolawa Akingbemisilu secured gold in class 5 singles, defeating Lekan Abdullahi in straight sets. In class 10, Olympian Olufemi Alabi, who won bronze in Tokyo, claimed first place. Abiola Adesope pulled off a surprise in class 9, edging out Paralympic medallist Tajudeen Agunbiade 32.
International athletes had some success. Togo earned two bronze medals in women’s singles and doubles in class 5 via Atisso Amele. Some athletes from Benin also reached podium positions. However, Nigeria claimed medals across most categories, underlining its current regional superiority and leaving little doubt as to its strength.
The organisers emphasised the role of this tournament in talent identification and growth of paratable tennis. The event was first held in 2019 and has since become a crucial part of Nigeria’s selection for international events like the Paralympics. It also serves as a qualifying platform for the West African Para Games. ValueJet, led by chairman Kunle Soname, has been their main partner and sponsor since inception. So name reaffirmed the airline’s long term plan to support athletes with physical impairment and to raise the public profile of parasports.
Officials praised the coordination involved. Sunday Odebode, president of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, noted that the National Sports Commission and Lagos State Government had provided financial and logistical backing. ITTF Africa chief Kweku Tandoh thanked ValueJet for maintaining support and commended Odebode for raising the event’s calibre. Lekan Fatodu of the Lagos State Sports Commission said Lagos had matured into a centre for table tennis across Africa, and confirmed that arrangements were solid to ensure a smooth tournament.
This strong organisation contributed to a largely smooth contest. Four days of events, lasting from 9 to 13 July, unfolded without major incident. Lagos’s record of staging international table tennis events, such as the ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open, was of assistance. That tournament has been held in the same hall and stadium complex since 2013. The existing expertise in managing table tennis competitions appeared to boost logistics, officiating and spectator experience.
The medal count placed Nigeria far ahead: 88 medals in total. No other nation matched that tally. Competitors accepted that results were strong but fair. Isau Ogunkunle said that other West African athletes could not match the level of Nigerian opponents but that this contest would provide incentive for their growth . He also appealed for more corporate backing to help athletes meet costs of international travel and training . He stressed that government alone could not carry the burden .
The dominance of Nigeria does not only reflect its depth but also the lack of competition from abroad. Several top paratable tennis nations outside of West Africa were not in attendance. The result was comfortable margins in many class finals and limited contest in others. Yet, beyond medals, the event highlighted Nigeria’s parasports ambitions. The National Sports Commission aims to build a stable sporting economy, using success in events like this to justify additional funding.
For the athletes, it is a steppingstone towards bigger goals. Ravens such as Ogunkunle are already Paris 2024 medallists and are aiming for success in Los Angeles 2028. Others like Obiora and Akingbemisilu also have prior Paralympic experience and can use this event to sharpen their form.
This championship has warmed up the region’s gamers for the West African Games scheduled for September. The medal standings here may influence national selections. Nigeria is certain to send a strong squad in every class, bolstered by confidence and experience.
While organisation and results were commendable, the competition would gain from greater international participation. The comparison with ITTF continental events suggested that adding Asia or European players would raise the level. Yet organisers made clear that the priority was to foster West African talent and gradually build capability .
Indeed, the event crowned Nigeria as undisputed leader in regional paratable tennis. Its athletes performed consistently across categories, national bodies and sponsors delivered reliable support, and smaller nations gained exposure and reward. Lagos State confirmed its credentials as a host and Nigeria has underlined its ambition on a path that points towards future regional and global contests. The work is not done but the direction is clear.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
