Lagos is set to host the seventh Adegboyega Efunkoya National Cadet Table Tennis Championship, as Nigeria continues efforts to strengthen grassroots development and create a pathway for young players to progress into the national team.
The five-day tournament will take place from August 11 to 15, 2026, at the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Organised by the Efunkoya Sports Foundation in partnership with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), the championship has become an important platform for identifying promising young players and giving them competitive exposure.
According to the organisers, the championship proper will run from August 13 to 15, with Under-15 players from different parts of the country expected to compete for honours.
The event will, however, begin with activities designed to develop the players beyond competition.
A training clinic and mentorship programme will take place from August 11 to 12, providing young athletes with opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and receive guidance that can help shape their sporting careers.
Chairman of the Efunkoya Sports Foundation, Femi Olugbile, said the tournament remains committed to discovering and developing young table tennis talent in Nigeria.
The importance of such grassroots competitions extends beyond the medals and trophies awarded at the end of the tournament.
For young players, national cadet competitions provide opportunities to gain experience, test themselves against athletes from other states and develop the discipline required for higher-level competition.
The Efunkoya championship has also demonstrated its value as a talent-development pathway.
Several players who have gone on to represent Nigeria at international youth competitions previously participated in the tournament. Among them are Matthew Kuti and Favour Ojo, who recently represented the country at the ITTF Africa Youth Championships and Cup in Accra.
Matthew Kuti’s progression is particularly significant, as he has moved from the cadet level to become a member of Nigeria’s senior national table tennis team.
This progression demonstrates how consistent grassroots competitions can contribute to the development of athletes capable of competing at national and international levels.
The championship also comes at a time when Nigerian table tennis stakeholders are seeking to strengthen the sport’s talent pipeline and encourage more young people to take up the game.
By bringing players together from different parts of the country, the competition creates an environment where emerging talents can be identified and monitored.
The involvement of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation also provides an important link between grassroots development and the national competitive structure.
For the young participants, the tournament represents more than another sporting event. It offers an opportunity to gain experience, build confidence and potentially attract attention from coaches and selectors.
The organisers are therefore expected to use the championship not only to crown winners but also to identify players with the potential to progress to higher levels.
As the tournament prepares to serve off in Lagos, expectations are high that the seventh edition will produce another group of promising players who can contribute to the future success of Nigerian table tennis.
