Nigeria has officially earned the right to host the 2028 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Championships, having beaten Tunisia during a voting session at the continental federation’s Annual General Meeting held in Tangier, Morocco.
Nigeria polled 23 votes against Tunisia’s 15 to win the bid, with the decision paving the way for Lagos to host Africa’s top table tennis players in 2028.
The vote followed presentations by both bidding countries, with 38 votes recorded at the AGM, comprising 31 delegates present and seven authorised proxies.
President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Adesoji Tayo, welcomed the outcome, expressing appreciation to delegates and member associations for supporting Nigeria’s bid.
He pledged that the country would deliver a successful championship and provide a memorable experience for athletes, officials and fans.
“We want to thank all the delegates for placing their trust in Nigeria to host both the 2028 African Championships and the 2027 African Para Championships,” Tayo said.
“As experienced organisers of major international table tennis events, we are committed to delivering a seamless and successful tournament. Lagos will once again welcome the continent’s finest players, and we assure all visitors that Nigeria will be the place to be in 2028.”
Nigeria’s successful bid also strengthens its hosting commitments on the continent, having been selected to stage the African Para Championships in 2027.
The AGM confirmed other hosts for the 2027 and 2028 continental competitions. Libya will host the 2027 Africa Cup, Algeria the 2027 African Championships, Botswana the 2027 Youth Championships, while Nigeria will stage the 2027 African Para Championships.
For 2028, Rwanda was selected to host the Youth Championships, while Egypt will stage the Para Championships. The host of the 2028 Africa Cup is yet to be announced.
What You Should Know
Nigeria defeated Tunisia with 23 votes against 15 at the continental Annual General Meeting in Tangier, Morocco, ensuring that Lagos will host Africa’s premier table tennis tournament in 2028.
- Positive Impact: Hosting the event positions Nigeria as a premier sports destination, boosts local tourism, and provides a platform for Nigerian athletes to compete on home soil.
- Potential Concerns: Adequate infrastructure and timely funding must be prioritized by sports authorities to ensure a successful and world-class tournament.
