China-based WKTT targets African table tennis growth through Nigeria partnership

Posted : 26 May 2026

The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has received a major boost following the donation of table tennis equipment by China-based sports brand WKTT, as both parties strengthened plans to advance player development in Nigeria and across Africa.

The donation was presented during the 2026 WTT Contender Lagos tournament, where WKTT representative, Vera Ruijia Zhao, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting emerging African talents with modern equipment and international exposure.

According to Zhao, Africa possesses enormous table tennis potential, pointing to the achievements of Nigerian stars such as Quadri Aruna and Olajide Omotayo as evidence of the continent’s growing influence in the sport.

She explained that WKTT donated rubbers, blades, balls, and other playing materials to assist young players who often struggle with access to quality equipment.

“We want to help African players grow because many talented youngsters lack the equipment needed to develop properly,” Zhao said.

“For young players, equipment is very important because without it, they cannot even start playing table tennis.”

Zhao also disclosed plans for future Nigeria-China and Africa-China invitational tournaments as part of the ongoing China-Africa cultural exchange initiatives.

She noted that such competitions would expose African players to stronger opponents and help improve their technical abilities and international experience.

The WKTT official praised the impressive performances of several Nigerian youngsters at the tournament, especially children competing confidently against experienced international players.

“This is encouraging for the future because there are many talented young players here,” she said.

“If they continue training well and maintain their passion, I hope we can bring some of them to China for training camps and tournaments.”

She added that regular exposure to elite competition would play a vital role in shaping successful careers for the players.

Reacting to the support, NTTF President, Adesoji Tayo, described the donation as timely and important for the development of grassroots table tennis in Nigeria.

Tayo stressed that acquiring and replacing quality equipment remains a major challenge due to the high costs involved.

“If we truly want to develop the sport, we must have access to quality equipment consistently, and that has not been easy because of the economic realities,” Tayo said.

He revealed that Zhao had previously supported Nigerian stars like Aruna and Omotayo overseas before extending similar assistance to more players in the country.

According to him, the partnership represents the beginning of wider collaborations involving training opportunities, cultural exchanges, and technical support.

Tayo also commended Zhao for embracing Nigerian culture during her visit, describing her passion for the country as genuine and inspiring.

WKTT, also known as Wang Kai Table Tennis, is one of China’s leading table tennis equipment and coaching brands, recognised internationally for producing high-performance products and supporting professional players globally.

This strategic partnership highlights a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of African table tennis talents. By addressing critical equipment shortages and paving the way for international training exchanges, the collaboration establishes a sustainable pathway for young athletes to excel on the global stage.

China-based WKTT targets African table tennis growth through Nigeria partnership

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