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Tinubu Celebrates Wahid Oshodi’s Election as President of African Table Tennis Federation

Written by Jerry Alomatu on October 16, 2024

News Views: 330

President Bola Tinubu has expressed pride in the election of Wahid Oshodi as the new President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF). Oshodi was unanimously chosen during the ATTF’s 2024 Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The newly appointed leader succeeds Egypt’s Khaled El-Salhy, who had helmed the federation since 2010. Oshodi, a former Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development in Lagos State, has been a prominent figure in sports administration.

In a congratulatory message, President Tinubu praised the election as a proud moment for Nigeria, emphasizing the robust support Oshodi received prior to the vote. “Oshodi’s election is a vote of confidence in a seasoned sports administrator who has committed his time, energy, and resources to develop table tennis at the grassroots level and demonstrated his integrity, accountability, and dedication in carrying out his responsibilities,” Tinubu stated.

Oshodi’s journey to the ATTF presidency was propelled by a nomination from the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and support from several African countries, signaling a united front in advancing sports leadership from Nigeria.

Notably, Oshodi’s election makes him the second Nigerian to ever hold this prestigious position, following in the footsteps of Engr. Segun George. His rise to the presidency follows previous roles as Deputy President of ATTF and Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation, which have furthered his influence on both African and global sports stages.

President Tinubu highlighted Oshodi’s deep-rooted passion for the sport, applauding his contributions at various levels of table tennis administration. He expressed confidence that Oshodi would bring his extensive leadership experience to drive the sport to new heights across the continent, while assuring the new ATTF President of Nigeria’s continued support.

Oshodi’s distinguished career began in 2000 when then-Governor Bola Tinubu appointed him to the Lagos State Sports Council Governing Board. His tenure as chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association led to his appointment as Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development in 2011 by Governor Babatunde Fashola. During his term, he oversaw the successful “Eko 2012” National Sports Festival, enhancing his reputation for effective sports management.

As the new ATTF President, Wahid Oshodi is expected to leverage his experience and connections to expand the reach and success of table tennis across Africa, building on the foundation laid by his predecessor. His unanimous election reflects the confidence that stakeholders have in his leadership to further elevate the sport on the continent.