China-based sports equipment manufacturer WKTT has donated equipment to the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) as part of its efforts to support player development across Africa. The donation was presented during the 2026 WTT Contender Lagos event held over the weekend.
WKTT representative Vera Ruijia Zhao highlighted Nigeria's rich table tennis talent, citing stars such as Quadri Aruna and Olajide Omotayo. She emphasized the company's commitment to helping more African players reach their full potential.
"I brought rubbers, blades, balls, and many other items from China, sponsored by WKTT, to donate in Africa. We want to help African players reach the next level because many young talents lack equipment," Zhao said.
"For young players, equipment is essential — without it, they cannot even start playing table tennis. This year is also the China-Africa cultural exchange year, and we hope to organise Nigeria-China or Africa-China invitational tournaments in China to give African players more opportunities to compete and improve their skills," she added.
Zhao noted the impressive performances of young Nigerian players, some as young as 10 or 11, who already challenge top international competitors. "This is a good signal for the future. There are over 150 talented players here. If they keep their passion and train well, I hope to bring them to China for training camps and tournaments. They need to see the world, measure themselves against stronger players, and learn what it takes to build brighter careers," she said.
NTTF President Adesoji Tayo commended WKTT for the gesture, stressing its importance for grassroots development. "If we want to move to the next level, we need the right equipment, and it must be replaced consistently, which is difficult because of the cost in Nigeria. Vera has already supported Aruna and Omotayo abroad, and now she is extending that support to more Nigerian players," he said.
The donation includes various table tennis equipment such as rubbers, blades, and balls, aimed at supporting young talents in Nigeria and across Africa. WKTT's initiative aligns with the China-Africa cultural exchange year, with plans to organize invitational tournaments in China to provide African players with more competitive opportunities.
