NTTF to select final squad today from 25 cadet players for the 2025 ITTF Africa Hopes Challenge after six days of intensive training

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) will, on Monday, select a four-man squad from a group of 25 promising cadet players who participated in the recently concluded National Hopes Week.

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This selection will determine Nigeria’s contingent for the prestigious 2025 ITTF Africa Hopes Week and Challenge, scheduled to hold in July in Lagos.

Held at the National Stadium in Lagos, the six-day National Hopes Week kicked off on April 2 and featured an intensive blend of training sessions and competitive matches.

The programme, organised by the NTTF in collaboration with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and ITTF Africa, aimed at identifying and nurturing the most talented U-12 table tennis players from across Nigeria.

Conducted by ITTF-certified coaches, the training camp offered participants a valuable opportunity to learn essential techniques and gain high-level insights into modern table tennis.

Over the course of the week, the young athletes were drilled in basic footwork, backhand techniques, and tactical awareness — all foundational elements for long-term success in the sport.

Speaking after the final training session, lead youth coach Ifeoma Isaac praised the initiative, noting its importance in building a strong future for Nigerian table tennis.

“I must commend the leadership of NTTF for organising this training for the U-12 players, particularly focusing on new techniques in table tennis.

We realised that the players lacked footwork and backhand skills. Over the last six days, we have trained them and hope that such exercises will be regular to help the players continue improving their game for the benefit of the country,” Isaac said.

The National Hopes Week not only aimed to enhance the technical proficiency of the players but also served as a platform for national selection.

With the final squad set to be announced today, the spotlight is now on who will represent Nigeria in July at the ITTF Africa Hopes Week and Challenge — a critical stepping stone towards qualification for the global Hopes Week competition.

The 2025 edition of the ITTF Africa Hopes Week & Challenge in Lagos will bring together the best young table tennis talents from across the continent.

The event plays a pivotal role in grooming future stars and offering them the exposure needed to compete at international levels.