Nigerian table tennis icon and seven-time Olympian, Funke Oshonaike, has called for increased investment in grassroots sports development, with a special focus on nurturing young female athletes. She warned that without strategic intervention, Nigeria risks falling behind on the global table tennis stage.
Speaking during an impromptu visit to the Indoor Sports Hall during the ongoing National Sports Festival in Ogun State, Oshonaike expressed concern over the limited opportunities available to young girls in the sport.
“We need to build more girls in table tennis. The boys are doing well, but on the girls’ side, there’s been little improvement. It’s still the same names we hear. We need fresh talent, and for that to happen, we must create more opportunities and competitions,” she said.
The 25-time national champion criticized the sharp decline in local tournaments, stressing that the current competitive calendar is insufficient for producing world-class talent.
“In the past, we had about 10 to 12 competitions in a year. Now, we’re lucky to have even four. That’s not enough,” she lamented.
Oshonaike also emphasized the importance of international exposure for rising stars, noting that many gifted Nigerian players remain confined to local events due to financial constraints.
“We can’t rely on just one name like Quadri Aruna to represent us globally. There are so many talented players, but without funding, they can’t attend international tournaments or improve their world rankings. We need to support them to participate in junior and senior World Table Tennis (WTT) competitions,” she urged.
Drawn to the festival by positive reports from her international network, Oshonaike commended the energy and organization of the event, despite some infrastructural challenges.
“Yes, the hall is hot and crowded, but the energy here is beautiful. It’s amazing to see both local and foreign-based athletes competing. It shows that table tennis is still very much loved in Nigeria,” she said.
Funke Oshonaike, a trailblazer in Nigerian sports, is a three-time African champion, 11-time African Games medallist, and one of the few African women to compete in seven Olympic Games.
