ABUJA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian athletes will not participate in the ongoing ITTF-Africa West Regional Championships in Conakry, Guinea, or this year's African Table Tennis Championships in October due to a lack of funding, the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) said on Thursday.
In a statement, NTTF President Adesoji Tayo said it will be the first time Nigeria misses the African championships, scheduled for Oct. 18 to 25 in Morocco.
According to Tayo, no Nigerian athlete is competing in the Africa West Regional Championships, organized by the International Table Tennis Federation, which serves as the qualifying tournament for the continental championships.
Tayo said Nigeria's quartet of Matthew Kuti, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, Favour Ojo and Khadijat Okanlawon had been scheduled to compete in Conakry, but the trip was canceled after the federation failed to secure the necessary funds.
Expressing regret over the withdrawal, Tayo said missing the regional qualifier could have long-term consequences, particularly for Nigeria's qualification hopes for the 2027 World Table Tennis Championships.
The setback could also undermine Nigeria's reputation as one of Africa's traditional table tennis powerhouses, he added.
