Nigeria absent from Africa Youth Champs due to lack of funds

Nigeria is conspicuously absent from the 2024 ITTF African Youth Championships, currently underway in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana.

Despite being one of the leading African teams, Nigeria did not participate in this prestigious event.

In the 2023 edition held in Agadir, Morocco, the Nigerian contingent managed to compete thanks to the support of Friends of Table Tennis who funded their trip.

However, despite qualifying for the 2023 ITTF World Youth Championships, the team was unable to compete in the event.

After weeks of preparation, the players were informed that they would not be able to travel because the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) failed to secure the necessary support from the Federal Ministry of Sports Development.

Botswana made history by hosting the continent’s best young players for the first time in African table tennis.

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Unfortunately, top-flight Nigeria is not present at the championship which starts on Monday, July 15. The Botho University Hall in Gaborone is the venue for this exciting event.

Having previously hosted regional championships, Botswana is delighted to be hosting one of Africa’s elite tournaments. Motswagole Kudzanani, President of the Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA), stressed that hosting the tournament will bring about an overall improvement for table tennis.

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 championship features more participating countries compared to the 2023 edition.

Participating countries include Botswana, Congo, Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho, Benin Republic, Guinea, Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa, Rwanda, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Furthermore, the seven-day continental championship serves as Africa’s qualifier for the 2024 ITTF World Youth Championships, scheduled to take place in Helsingborg, Sweden, in November.

Nigeria misses out on Africa Youth Champs due to lack of funds first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.