IOC President Kirsty Coventry Meets Nigeria's Oshodi and Oshonaike in Dakar

Posted : 03 November 2026

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry has met Nigerian table tennis administrators Wahid Oshodi and Olufunke Oshonaike during a visit to the table tennis venue at the ongoing 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

Coventry received a warm welcome from International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) President Petra Sörling, ITTF Vice President and African Table Tennis Federation President Wahid Oshodi, Nigerian table tennis legend Olufunke Oshonaike and Egyptian table tennis star Dina Meshref.

The visit provided an opportunity for the IOC president to interact with officials and other stakeholders involved in the sport. She also observed activities at the competition venue as Dakar hosts the first Olympic sporting event on African soil.

Oshodi's presence highlighted Nigeria's representation in international table tennis administration. His position as an ITTF vice president and African federation president places him among the continent's key figures in the sport.

Oshonaike also featured prominently during the reception. The seven-time Olympian remains one of Africa's most celebrated table tennis players and continues to contribute to the sport beyond her playing career.

In December 2025, she made history as the first Nigerian appointed to the IOC Athletes' Commission following her nomination by Coventry. She competed at seven consecutive Olympic Games, from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020.

Her appointment to the commission further strengthened Nigeria's representation within the Olympic Movement, giving the country a voice in discussions concerning athletes' welfare and development at the highest level of international sports administration.

The meeting took place during the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which began on October 31 and will run until November 13. The competition has brought together nearly 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17 from 204 National Olympic Committees.

For Africa, the event represents a historic milestone as the continent hosts an Olympic sporting event for the first time. It also provides an opportunity to showcase African sporting talent and strengthen the continent's involvement in international sports development.

Nigeria is competing in six sports at the Games, including table tennis, athletics, boxing, swimming, road cycling and beach volleyball.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry Meets Nigeria's Oshodi and Oshonaike in Dakar

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