Fashola Hails Africa’s Rising Table Tennis Stars, Calls for Bold Investment in Sports

Former Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola lauded the exceptional performances at the 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Cup, calling it a clear demonstration of Africa's vast sporting potential. Speaking at the tournament's finals in Accra, Fashola emphasized the continent's abundant human resources in sports.

"I am particularly thrilled by the display of these young talents," he stated. "It shows that our continent is rich in human resources when it comes to sports. Looking at what happened in Accra, I could see raw talents that only need refining to become world-class." He commended ITTF Africa leadership for organizing a successful event and expressed hope for similar successes in other sports.

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I am particularly thrilled by the display of these young talents. It shows that our continent is rich in human resources when it comes to sports. Looking at what happened in Accra, I could see raw talents that only need refining to become world-class.

Fashola, who also served as Nigeria's Minister of Works and Housing, was recognized for his past contributions to table tennis development. During his tenure as Governor of Lagos, he supported the Lagos Table Tennis Classic, which evolved into the Nigeria Open and is now the WTT Contender Lagos.

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I must commend the leadership of ITTF Africa led by Wahid Oshodi for putting up a good show for the world to see, and I hope this can be replicated in other sports.

Highlighting Africa's status as the world's youngest continent, Fashola urged leaders to invest deliberately in sports development. "Investing in sport will help us immensely," he said. "These young people can earn a lot from sports. As we know, sports is now a trillion-dollar industry globally. If we deliberately invest in grassroots sports development, we can truly benefit as a continent."

He implored policymakers to shift their perspective on sports, viewing it not just as recreation but as a lucrative industry with the potential to significantly boost Africa's economic standing.

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Looking at Africa’s strength as the continent with the youngest people in the world, investing in sport will help us immensely. These young people can earn a lot from sports. As we know, sports is now a trillion-dollar industry globally. If we deliberately invest in grassroots sports development, we can truly benefit as a continent.