The National Sports Commission (NSC) has commended Nigerian table tennis stars, Aruna Quadri and Fatima Bello, for securing their spots at the 2025 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Cup.
Quadri and Bello booked their World Cup tickets by advancing to the semifinals of the ongoing ITTF Africa Cup in Tunis. Quadri will take on Ylane Batix, while Bello is set to battle Hana Goda in their respective semifinal clashes.
Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to sports development, emphasizing the importance of sustained excellence across all disciplines.
“Our goal is to build a sustainable sports ecosystem where Nigerian athletes consistently compete and excel on the global stage. The recent successes across multiple sports reflect our dedication to this vision,” he stated.
Similarly, the NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised the resilience and determination of Nigerian athletes, noting that their achievements are a testament to hard work and structured development.
“These milestones highlight the incredible talent in Nigerian sports. At the NSC, we remain committed to providing the necessary support and infrastructure to take our athletes to even greater heights,” Olopade added.
Beyond table tennis, Nigerian sports have continued to make remarkable strides under the leadership of the NSC.
The Nigerian U19 women’s cricket team recently secured automatic qualification for the U19 Cricket World Cup after a historic victory against traditional powerhouses in the sport.
In badminton, Nigeria clinched third place at the African Senior Badminton Championship, showcasing the country’s growing dominance in the sport. Meanwhile, in basketball, D’Tigers staged a stunning comeback in the AfroBasket qualifiers, winning three consecutive games in the second phase to secure a spot at the 2025 tournament in Angola, despite an initial rough start in the qualifiers.
With these achievements, the NSC remains steadfast in its mission to elevate Nigerian sports to global prominence.