President Bola Tinubu has described the election of Wahid Oshodi as president of the African Table Tennis Federation as a proud moment for Nigeria.
Oshodi was unanimously elected chairman at the 2024 Annual General Meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Tuesday.
The newly elected president will succeed Egypt’s Khalid El Salih, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, who has led the federation since 2010.
In his congratulatory address, Tinubu said Oshodi’s election was a proud moment for Nigeria and reflected the strong support he had garnered before the election.
He was nominated by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and is sponsored by several African countries, demonstrating their unwavering support for the country’s sports leaders.
Mr. Oshodi’s selection is a vote of confidence in an experienced sports administrator who has dedicated his time, energy and resources to the development of table tennis at the grassroots level and who has demonstrated integrity, accountability and dedication in discharging his responsibilities. Yes, he says.
His dedication is an inspiration to all sports enthusiasts and a sign of hope for the future of table tennis.
According to Tinubu, Oshodi will use his extensive leadership experience to take ATTF and the sport to the next level of success across the continent.
Mr. Oshodi’s election makes him the second Nigerian to serve as ATTF chairman, after Mr. Engr. Segun George is the only Nigerian currently heading a continental sports federation.
This follows his roles as Vice-President of the ATTF and Executive Vice-President of the International Table Tennis Federation, which cemented his influence in African and global sports administration.
As ATTF Chairman, Oshodi is expected to build on the foundations laid by his predecessor and use his experience and connections to further develop table tennis across the African continent.
His unanimous selection confirms the confidence African table tennis officials have in his ability to take the sport to greater heights on the continent.
Mr. Oshodi’s distinguished career in sports administration began in 2000 when he was appointed to the Lagos State Sports Council Management Committee by then Governor Bola Tinubu.
Mr. Oshodi was appointed Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development by Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2011 while serving as the Chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association. As Commissioner, he oversaw a hugely successful National Sports Festival dubbed ‘Eco 2012’, further cementing his reputation for excellence in sports management.
The Nigerian leader commended Oshodi’s passion and commitment towards the development of table tennis at local, national and continental levels, while pledging the country’s continued goodwill and necessary support to make him successful in his new role. .
