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The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa has thrown weight behind Nigeria table tennis player, Hope Uudoka, when he enters the 64th round at the Games of the Fisu World University of 2025 in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany.
Despite the financial obstacles that prevented other Nigerian athletes from participating, UDOKA advanced to the eliminatory stage with impressive victories in the group of Grupo on Ezel Arslan of Tunisia and the Pui Manut of China, both in straight sets.
He will face Patricia Santos de Portugal today in Messe Hall in the 64th round of the female single event.
In an exclusive interview with Sportxvibe.com.ng, president of Africa ITTF, Enitan Oshodi, praised the talent of UDOKA, expressing the hope that he would gain valuable experience when competing against world -class university athletes.
“Well, hope is the national number one. Hope is the best player we have and it is sad that she does not play the world table tennis contender, but, of course, it is more important to represent her university and we hope we do it well there. We wish her the best.
“With the hope that we hope that she can do it well. Some of the best players in the world play at the university level like this, it will be a great experience for her. It is one of the players who come in Nigeria. We hope that this is another step in her learning,” he said.
He also highlighted the need for greater collaboration between the Association of University Games of Nigeria (Nuga) and the National Federation to better support athletes.
“You have to have that handshake and then, hopefully, for the best of all our athletes. It is important that we have athletes that are in school. That makes it better, so the association with Nuga must be one that is strengthened,” he said.
