Abdulfatai, Udoaka Top Seeds as Michael and Felicia Alabi Table Tennis Championship Serves Off in Osun

Africa’s men’s doubles champion, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, and Nigeria’s top-ranked female player, Hope Udoaka, have been named top seeds in the singles event of the fifth Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championships, which officially commenced on Monday in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.

The prestigious event was declared open by Osun State’s Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, who took part in an exhibition match against former African champion Saka Suraju. In his remarks, Adewusi commended the event’s sponsor, the Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Foundation, led by Ayodeji Alabi, for its steadfast support of grassroots sports development.

“I urge all players to take this tournament as an opportunity to display their talents,” Adewusi said. “However, talent must be complemented by discipline and hard work, as there are no shortcuts to success. I also challenge our female players to step up their game and see this platform as a chance to break into the national team.”

Abdulfatai, who came close to clinching the national title earlier this year but narrowly lost to Matthew Kuti, is determined to reclaim his spot on the national squad. On the women’s side, Udoaka, representing Cross River, will be gunning to dethrone defending champion Sukurat Aiyelabegan of Kwara.

Other top contenders in the men’s singles draw include reigning champion Jamiu Ayanwale, Edo State’s Amadi Omeh, Akinwale Fagbamila from Ondo, and Azeez Waisu of Oyo. In the women’s singles, the field features Udoaka, Aiyelabegan, Lagos-based Bose Odusanya, Aminat Fashola, and Kwara’s Bisola Asaju as seeded players.

The five-day tournament, sanctioned by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and organised by the Osun State Table Tennis Association, features over ₦11.5 million in prize money. Around 50 teams from across the country are competing for top honours and national recognition.