Top para table tennis players from across West Africa are set to converge in Lagos as the seventh edition of the ValueJet Lagos World Para Table Tennis Open gets underway from Wednesday July 9 to Friday 11, 2015 at the Molade Okoya Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
The international tournament will feature athletes from Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, and host nation Nigeria, all vying for honours in a competition that has grown into one of the continent’s premier para table tennis events.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Lagos, President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN), Sunday Odebode, highlighted the significance of the event, revealing that it will serve as a qualifying tournament for the inaugural West African Paralympic Games scheduled for September.
“This tournament is more than just a competition — it is a platform for discovery, development, and qualification. We are proud to be hosting such a crucial event that opens doors for our athletes,” Odebode said.
Also present at the event was the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, who emphasized the state’s growing reputation as the heartbeat of African table tennis.
“With events like this, Lagos continues to position itself as the undisputed hub of table tennis in Africa. We are proud to host this tournament and to be part of a movement that promotes inclusivity and excellence in sports,” Fatodu stated.
Kweku Tandoh, Chief Operating Officer of ITTF Africa, commended tournament sponsors ValueJet for their unwavering commitment to para sports development. He also praised PCN President Odebode for his tireless efforts in sustaining and growing the competition over the years.
Among the top stars expected to feature is Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medalist, Isau Ogunkunle, who credited the ValueJet Lagos Open with launching his international career.
“This tournament changed my life. Without it, I may never have been discovered. Even with my bronze medal from Paris, I know I still have more to achieve. I’m excited to see which new talents will emerge this year,” Ogunkunle said.
As anticipation builds, the tournament promises not only fierce competition but also an opportunity to inspire a new generation of para athletes across Africa.