The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa has thrown weight behind Nigeria’s table tennis player, Hope Udoaka, as she enters the round of 64 at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany.
Despite financial hurdles that hindered other Nigerian athletes from participating, Udoaka advanced to the knockout stage with impressive group-stage wins over Tunisia’s Ezel Arslan and China’s Pui Man Cheug ,both in straight sets.
She will face Portugal’s Patricia Santos today at Messe Hall in the round of 64 of the women’s singles event.
In an exclusive interview with Sportxvibe.com.ng, ITTF Africa President, Enitan Oshodi, praised Udoaka’s talent, expressing hope she would gain valuable experience from competing against world-class university athletes.
“Well, Hope is the national number one. Hope is the top player we have and it’s sad that she won’t be playing the World Table Tennis Lagos Contender, but of course it’s more important to represent your university and we’re hoping she does well there. We wish her the best.
“With Hope we are hopeful that she can do well. Some of the top players in the world play at the University level like that, it’ll be a great experience for her. She’s one of the top up coming players we have now in Nigeria. Hopefully this will be another step in her learning,” he said
He also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between Nigeria’s University Games Association (NUGA) and the national federation to better support student-athletes.
“There needs to be that handshake and then hopefully, for the best of all our athletes. It is important for us to have athletes who are in school. That makes it better, so that partnership with NUGA has to be one that is strengthened,” he said.