For five days, 25 cadet players from across Nigeria have been rigorously training at the National Stadium in Lagos during the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF)-organized National Hopes Week. This event combines extensive training with competitive matches to select the squad that will represent Nigeria at the 2025 ITTF Africa Hopes Week and Challenge, scheduled for July in Lagos.
The exercise, which began on April 2, will culminate on Monday, April 7, with the announcement of a four-member squad comprising two boys and two girls who will form the Nigerian contingent for the continental challenge.
Supported by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and ITTF Africa, the National Hopes Week was conducted by ITTF-certified coaches. These coaches provided the selected players with valuable knowledge and experience to aid their development.
During the one-week training, the players were introduced to basic techniques and tactics in table tennis. The youth coaches, led by Ifeoma Isaac, praised the initiative. “I must commend the leadership of NTTF for organizing this training for the U-12 players, particularly focusing on new techniques in table tennis. We realized that the players lacked footwork and backhand skills. Over the last six days, we have trained them and hope that such exercises will be regular to help the players continue improving their game for the benefit of the country,” Isaac said.
Coach Ganiyu Kadiri also acknowledged the impact of the training camp, expressing satisfaction with the players’ response. “I am particularly thrilled with the players’ enthusiasm during the training. This enthusiasm is crucial when learning new skills and makes our work as coaches easier. We are confident that regular training, rather than one-off exercises, will help our players compete on par with their international counterparts in major tournaments,” Kadiri noted.
Some players shared their experiences, commending the NTTF and ITTF Africa for creating the platform. They believe the training program will significantly enhance their skills.
The 2025 ITTF Africa Hopes Week & Challenge is a platform for young table tennis players, and it is a crucial event in nurturing the next generation of African talent, developing skills, and preparing players for continental and World Hopes Week competitions.
