- Qatar hosts the 59th ITTF World Championships, earning global praise for exceptional organization.
- African stars Quadri Aruna and Hana Goda commence their campaigns in Doha.
- Nigerian fencing prodigy Gbemisola Leah-Pedro impresses at Ontario Fencing Circuit.
The 2025 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships in Doha commenced with a spectacular opening ceremony. This marks Qatar’s return as a host 21 years after the 2004 edition. With 640 players from 127 countries competing in men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events, the tournament is a testament to Qatar’s commitment to international sporting excellence.
Meanwhile, African players, including Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Egypt’s Hana Goda, are set to make their mark on the world stage. Aruna faces Brazil’s Victor Ishiy in the men’s singles. Similarly, Goda takes on Australia’s Jiamuwa Wu in the women’s singles.
African Table Tennis Stars Aim for Glory as Qatar Sets a New Benchmark in Global Sports Hosting
The 2025 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships in Doha has been hailed as a landmark event in Qatar’s sports history. The tournament underscores Qatar’s ability to host large-scale international sporting events seamlessly, with the participation of 640 players from 127 countries. The Lusail Sports Arena and Qatar University Sports Complex have been transformed into world-class venues. They set new standards for future editions of the championships.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) commended Qatar for its exceptional execution of the event. They highlighted the impressive opening ceremony as a sign of the country’s evolving sports infrastructure. Additionally, the event serves as a significant milestone in Qatar’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a global hub for elite sports. Qatar previously hosted the championship in 2004.
For African players, the tournament represents a major opportunity to showcase their talents on a global stage. Nigerian star Quadri Aruna, who previously reached the quarterfinals in 2021, is set to compete against Brazil’s Victor Ishiy. Similarly, Egypt’s Hana Goda, a rising star in women’s table tennis, will face Australia’s Jiamuwa Wu in her opening match. She hopes to advance further in the competition.
In addition to the table tennis spectacle in Doha, 10-year-old Gbemisola Leah-Pedro is making waves in Canada’s Ontario Fencing Circuit. The young Nigerian fencer finished an impressive 6th in her category, marking a promising start to her international career. Her performance is being celebrated as a sign of growing talent in less traditional sports for Nigerian athletes.
The 2025 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships not only highlight Qatar’s exceptional hosting capabilities. They also provide a platform for African talents to shine and make their mark globally.
“This distinguished championship returns to the land of Qatar after more than two decades. Yet it returns transformed, with renewed maturity and readiness.” — ITTF
