President of the Africa Table Tennis Federation, Wahid Oshodi, said over 126 players will compete in the 2025 WTT Contender Championship from July 22 to 26.

Mr Oshodi confirmed this during a media briefing held on Monday in Lagos.

He said the event aims to promote excellence, offering top players a chance to compete and showcase their talents.

The tournament will take place at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Mr Oshodi said, “It will attract global talent, fostering the sport’s growth and development worldwide.’’

He added that the competition provides players with experience and exposure to high-level contests.

“It also offers ranking points to help players boost their global standings,” he noted.

The WTT Contender series aims to bring innovation and excitement to table tennis, raising the sport’s global profile.

Mr Oshodi stated it would give Nigerian players a chance to display their skills and inspire new talents.

Participation in the event will help Nigerian players improve through matches against elite international opponents.

He said the tournament could draw greater investment and support for table tennis in Nigeria.

“This could lead to better infrastructure, improved training programmes, and more resources for athletes,” he said.

According to him, the WTT Contender will boost table tennis popularity and create fresh opportunities locally.

The Nigerian table tennis community remains optimistic about the sport’s growth prospects in the country.

The tournament director, Kweku Tandoh, also reaffirmed their commitment to a successful championship.

He said top-ranked players’ involvement would enhance the event’s reputation and competitiveness.

“This WTT Contender Lagos is vital for Olympic preparation, helping players sharpen their skills,” Mr Tandoh stated.

This year’s tournament features a prize pool of $100,000, up from $75,000 in the previous edition.

This increase adds further excitement and stakes to the championship.

The event highlights table tennis excellence and provides a global platform for players to shine.

Top players such as Taiwo Mati and Mathew Kuti will be participating in the tournament.

The WTT Contender Lagos begins on Tuesday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. 

(NAN)