Nigeria and Egypt’s Para Table Tennis Dominance: A Closer Look at African Sporting Development

Nigeria and Egypt recently reaffirmed their status as powerhouses in para table tennis, showcasing strong performances at the 2025 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Para Championships in Giza, Egypt. The competition, more than just a clash of paddles, served as a vital qualifier for the 2026 World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. This adds another layer of importance to the medals won.

Nigeria wrapped up the event with a slight edge, taking home six gold medals, while Egypt secured five. Côte d’Ivoire also made its mark, thanks to Bayala Jean Pierre’s impressive silver in the singles. This shows that the competition isn’t just a two-horse race.
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Ogunkunle Isau, a 2024 Paralympics bronze medalist, spearheaded Nigeria’s efforts with a commanding performance in the Men’s Singles Classes 4–5. Adesope Abiola Wali, Farinloye Victor, and Lawal Kehinde further solidified Nigeria’s gold medal haul with victories in their respective singles categories. Isau also paired with Oputa Kate to clinch the Mixed Doubles class 10 title, with Adesope Abiola Wali and Kehinde prevailing in the Mixed Doubles classes 14–20 category. These are achievements worth celebrating.

Egypt’s success rested on dominant singles performances. Ramadan Khaled defeated his fellow countryman, Elmahsy Ahmed, in the Men’s Singles Classes 1–3. Youssef Sayed dominated Abdelmoneim Abousteit in the Men’s Singles Classes 6–7. Abdelwahab Abdelrahman and Mahmoud Faiza contributed with additional golds in the women’s classes 1-5. But it wasn’t all singles. Sayed partnered with Abdelwahab Abdelrahman to win the Men’s Doubles Class MD18 title in a tight 3–2 match against Nigeria’s Adesope Abiola Wali and Agunbiade Tajudeen. The doubles matches, from what I’ve observed in similar tournaments, often highlight team cohesion.

Amr Fahmy, the Tournament Director, was understandably positive about the championship. He talked about the increasing level of competition and participation. “We are hopeful that future editions will attract even greater participation, which will further enhance the growth and stature of this championship,” he noted. That said, relying solely on hope isn’t a strategy. Sustained investment and development programs are key to truly nurturing talent.
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Eight qualification slots for Bangkok 2026 were awarded at the event. ITTF rules will allocate additional slots based on African rankings in 2026. This system should ensure more athletes across the continent have a shot at competing on the world stage. But, relying on rankings can sometimes favor already established athletes, possibly overlooking emerging talent.

The dominance of Nigeria and Egypt is, to some degree, anticipated. They generally have more established para-sports programs and infrastructure. This creates an advantage. It’s interesting to see Côte d’Ivoire’s showing, as it suggests that focused effort, even with fewer resources, can lead to breakthroughs. I’ve seen this pattern before in other sports – strategic development can disrupt established hierarchies.

It’s worth pondering what these results reveal about the broader development of para sports in Africa. Are these championships truly fostering widespread growth, or are they mainly reinforcing existing power structures? One could argue that more support is required for grassroots programs in less established nations.

That said, the championships are still a positive force. They provide a platform for athletes to compete, gain recognition, and inspire others. For many athletes, simply participating and representing their country is a victory.

Yet, genuine progress requires more than just hosting events. It demands long-term investment in training facilities, coaching expertise, and athlete support systems. These are critical elements that are needed to level the playing field. Without them, the gap between the leading nations and the rest will likely persist.

This challenge, if addressed strategically, represents a real opportunity. Imagine the potential if more African nations could invest in para-sports programs. The talent pool would expand, the level of competition would rise, and the impact on individuals with disabilities would be transformative.

Ultimately, the success of the ITTF Africa Para Championships should be measured not just by the medals won by a few nations, but by its contribution to building a more inclusive and equitable sporting landscape across the entire continent. Only then can we truly celebrate its impact. And, perhaps, see some new names at the top of the medal tables in the years to come.

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Keywords: Nigeria Para Table Tennis, Egypt Para Table Tennis, Africa Para Championships, ITTF Africa Championships, Para Table Tennis 2025, Para Table Tennis 2026, African Para Sports, Giza Para Championships