President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa, Wahid Oshodi, has expressed confidence in the future of African table tennis, declaring that the continent’s next generation of stars has arrived following the outstanding performances at the 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Championships in Accra, Ghana.
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Sports247 reports that Oshodi praised the high standard of competition displayed throughout the championship, describing the tournament as clear evidence that African table tennis is moving in the right direction.
According to the ITTF Africa President, the quality of young talent on display in Accra showed that the continent’s growth is no longer limited to traditional powerhouses such as Egypt, Algeria, and South Africa.
“We are definitely on the right track. It’s not just Egypt, Algeria, or South Africa. It cuts across the entire continent,” Oshodi said.
He noted that the emergence of highly skilled young players from several countries reflects the success of the federation’s development initiatives and the increasing competitiveness of table tennis across Africa.
One of the standout examples, Oshodi said, was Uganda’s recognition as the Best Development Country, a milestone that highlights the impact of sustained investment in grassroots programmes and youth development.
“Young, skillful players are now coming through. Uganda receiving the award for the best development country says it all,” he added.
Oshodi also commended the ITTF development programme, describing it as a major driving force behind the progress being recorded across the continent.
“The ITTF development programme has been fantastic working with us in Africa,” he said.
The 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Championships featured thrilling contests across the U-15 and U-19 categories, with nations including Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Uganda, Angola, and host Ghana producing several standout performers.
The championship also witnessed historic moments, including Ghana ending a 39-year wait for a major African table tennis gold medal and Nigeria winning the U-19 Boys’ Team title, further illustrating the growing depth of talent across the continent.
With a new generation of players making their mark, Oshodi believes African table tennis is entering an exciting era, with the emerging stars capable of competing strongly on the global stage in the years ahead.
