As African athletes gear up to make their mark on the global stage, two major developments are putting the continent in the spotlight—the 2025 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships in Doha, Qatar, and preparations for the 3rd African U-18/U-20 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

From May 17 to 25, Africa’s finest table tennis stars will join elite players from around the world in Doha for the ITTF World Championships. The event, returning to the Qatari capital after 21 years, will take place at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall and Qatar University Sports Complex, featuring competitions in Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.

Leading the African contingent is Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna, Africa’s top-ranked male player, who will face Brazil’s Victor Ishiy in the Men’s Singles—a rematch of their 2021 encounter, which Aruna won. Other male representatives include Darara Dufera (Ethiopia), Aly Ghallab and Mohamed El-Beiali (Egypt), Fabio Rakotoarimanana (Madagascar), Kokou Fanny (Togo), and Wassim Essed (Tunisia).

In the Women’s Singles, Egypt’s teenage sensation Hana Goda, the reigning African champion, will take on Australia’s Jiamuwa Wu, while Nigeria’s Hope Udoaka, South Africa’s Rochica Sonday and Danisha Patel, and Egypt’s Yousra Helmy and Mariam Alhodaby face off against top-tier opponents from Brazil, China, Germany, New Zealand, and Croatia.

The Mixed Doubles will also see a strong African showing. Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo & Kabirat Ayoola are set for a high-stakes clash with Egypt’s Mahmoud Helmy & Hend Fathy, while other pairings from Madagascar, Nigeria, and Algeria will test their mettle against world-ranked duos from Brazil, Japan, and Qatar.

As African athletes push boundaries abroad, preparations are also in full swing at home for a continental sporting event. In Nigeria, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the African U-18/U-20 Athletics Championships, set for July 16–20, 2025, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has welcomed a new member: Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi.

A seasoned journalist and public servant, Atoyebi currently serves as Technical Assistant to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). With nearly two decades of media and public engagement experience, she brings valuable expertise to the LOC. “I’m honoured to serve and committed to delivering a world-class championship that celebrates African youth and talent,” she said.

The LOC is chaired by NSC Director General Bukola Olopade, with Wasiu Isiaka as Vice Chairman and Shagaya Abdulmumeen as Secretary. Other committee members include respected professionals Osaze Ubueze, Rosa Collins, Gadzama Tafiga, and Chichi Nwoko.

From Doha to Abeokuta, the momentum is clear: African sports are thriving, powered by talent, tenacity, and leadership both on and off the field.