2024 ITTF Africa Youth Championships: Nigeria’s no-show raises eyebrows as continent converges on Botswana
Africa’s prominent table tennis nation Nigeria is notably absent from the 2024 ITTF Africa Youth Championships, currently underway in Gaborone, Botswana, Made In Africa Sport reports.
In the 2023 edition held in Agadir, Morocco, the Nigerian contingent competed with support from Friends of Table Tennis, who funded their trip. However, despite qualifying for the 2023 ITTF World Youth Championships, the team could not attend after the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) failed to secure necessary support from the Federal Ministry of Sports Development.
Botswana is hosting the continent’s top young players for the first time in African table tennis history. The championships, which began on Monday, July 15, are taking place at Botho University Hall in Gaborone.
We're well at home at the Botho University in Gaborone. #ITTFAYC24 pic.twitter.com/EIRJuynoXN
— ITTF-Africa (@ITTFAfrica) July 16, 2024
Motswagole Kudzanani, President of the Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA), emphasized that hosting the tournament would lead to overall improvement for table tennis in the region. He said, “Hosting provides a platform to build our capacity and expose our athletes to international standards. It also increases our brand visibility, showcases our capabilities, and helps us identify areas for growth.”
This year’s championships feature a greater number of participating nations compared to the 2023 edition. Participating countries include Botswana, Congo DRC, Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho, Benin Republic, Guinea, Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa, Rwanda, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Additionally, the seven-day continental championships serve as African qualifiers for the 2024 ITTF World Youth Championships scheduled for November in Helsingborg, Sweden.
