Nigeria may face the wrath of the International Table Tennis Federation following its absence at the 2023 World Youth Championships in Slovenia. However, the participation of Nigeria at the AYC was made possible through the support of ITTF Executive Vice President Wahid Oshodi and Vice President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation Adesoji Tayo and friends of table tennis, who funded the trip to Morocco after pleas from NTTF that the government would refund the money spent and also sponsor the players to the WYC. A top official of ITTF, who is angry with Nigeria’s continued absence at the WYC, which most times altered the programme of the event, stated, “Apparently, Nigeria did not show up and left other doubles partners as well without playing. It is a pity, but it frequently happens with African countries, especially Nigeria, and nobody knows why they confirm participation but don’t show up for the event.”This development has drawn the ire of ITTF as there are reportedly plans to place sanctions on Nigeria. Apart from offsetting the bills accrued from their absence, their ranking would be affected while more sanctions may be in the offing for the West African nation.

Source: Punch December 12, 2023 04:21 UTC