Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
Fifteen young African table tennis players, including Nigeria’s Matthew Kuti and Favour Ojo, have been selected to compete at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, as the continent prepares to showcase its emerging talent at a historic Olympic event.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) confirmed the final field for the competition on October 15, with 64 players from 41 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) selected for the table tennis events scheduled for October 31 to November 5, 2026.
The 15 African representatives come from nine countries: Algeria, Benin, Egypt, Ghana, Madagascar, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda. Their participation highlights the continent’s presence in a competition that will bring together young players from across the world.
Nigeria’s Matthew Kuti and Favour Ojo Lead African Representation
Nigeria will be represented in the boys’ singles by Matthew Kuti and in the girls’ singles by Favour Ojo.
Their selection places the two young players among the African athletes preparing to compete against international opponents at one of the biggest youth sporting events on the calendar.
The African boys’ contingent also includes Algeria’s Aylan Goudjil, Benin’s Ganiou Abdourahaman, Egypt’s Abdelmalk Elsayed, Senegal’s Amador Ferrer, Tunisia’s Youssef Aidli and Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira.
In the girls’ competition, Ojo will be joined by Algeria’s Tania Morice, Egypt’s Yara Elbadawy, Ghana’s Joanita Borteye, Madagascar’s Tina Andriantahina, Senegal’s Marieme Diallo, Tunisia’s Ela Saidi and Uganda’s Jemimah Nakawala.
The selection gives nine African countries representation in the table tennis competition and provides the players with an opportunity to test their abilities against competitors from established and developing table tennis nations.
Dakar 2026 to Make Olympic History in Africa
The Youth Olympic Games will take place in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13, 2026. The event marks the first time an Olympic event will be staged on African soil, giving the continent a significant role in the Olympic movement.
The table tennis competition will be held at Dakar Expo from October 31 to November 5.
According to the ITTF, the competition will feature three medal events: men’s singles, women’s singles and mixed doubles. Each singles event will have 32 players, while 23 National Olympic Committees will be represented by mixed doubles pairs.
The athletes selected for the competition were born between 2009 and 2014, reflecting the youth-focused nature of the tournament and its role in developing the next generation of international table tennis players.
For Senegal, hosting the Games provides an opportunity to welcome young athletes from around the world while placing African sport in the international spotlight.
African Players to Face Global Competition
The African contingent will compete against players representing countries and territories with established table tennis programmes, including China, Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Germany and France.
The wider field also includes athletes from countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, Luxembourg, Madagascar and Puerto Rico.
The diversity of the participants reflects the international reach of table tennis and the opportunity the Youth Olympic Games provide for young athletes to gain experience beyond their regional competitions.
For African players, the tournament will offer exposure to different playing styles, international competition standards and the demands of a major multi-sport event.
The presence of athletes from nine African NOCs also demonstrates that the continent will have a visible role in the table tennis events, although participation alone does not guarantee medals or future senior-level success.
Senegal’s Home Advantage
Host nation Senegal will have two representatives in the singles events: Amador Ferrer in the boys’ competition and Marieme Diallo in the girls’ competition.
Both players will have the opportunity to compete in front of home supporters during a tournament that carries particular significance for Senegal and the wider African sporting community.
Their participation could help draw local attention to table tennis and encourage young people to engage with the sport. However, the outcome of their matches will depend on performance against the international field.
Why the Selection Matters for African Table Tennis
The selection of 15 African players is significant because international youth competitions can help athletes develop the technical ability, competitive experience and confidence required to progress in the sport.
For Nigeria, Kuti and Ojo will represent the country in a field that includes athletes from some of the world’s strongest table tennis systems. Their performances will attract interest from Nigerian table tennis followers as the country continues to develop young players.
Across Africa, the competition also provides an opportunity to assess the continent’s developing talent against international opposition. Results in Dakar could offer useful indicators of the progress being made by individual athletes, although sustained development will depend on coaching, regular competition, facilities and long-term support.
The ITTF has previously highlighted development programmes across Africa, including training camps, coaching initiatives and other activities designed to strengthen the sport at grassroots and competitive levels. These efforts form part of the broader work needed to give young players opportunities to progress.
What Happens Next?
The table tennis competition is scheduled to begin on October 31, with the selected athletes competing in the singles events and, where their national allocations permit, mixed doubles.
The Youth Olympic Games will continue until November 13, bringing together young athletes across multiple sports in Dakar.
For Africa’s 15 table tennis representatives, the immediate challenge will be to translate their selection into competitive performances against an international field. For the host continent, the Games represent a landmark opportunity to showcase its young athletes and strengthen public interest in youth sport.
The confirmed player list establishes Africa’s representation in the tournament, but medals and final standings will only be determined once competition begins.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) — Global Field of 64 Selected for Table Tennis at Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.
- International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) — Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games: Table Tennis Tournament Information.
- THISDAY — 15 African Table Tennis Stars for 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.
