Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has hailed the rising influence of table tennis in the city’s international spotlight, with the 2026 WTT Contender Lagos set to shift into its main draw on Tuesday.
Speaking on the tournament’s growing significance for the state, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos has developed into a leading destination for the sport, noting that elite players are increasingly drawn to the “warmth, hospitality and unique energy” the city offers.
The Governor’s comments arrive after two days of high-intensity qualifying at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall within Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere. By the end of the preliminary phase, the competition had been narrowed to 32 men and 32 women, setting the stage for the main draw.
There was also a sense of momentum inside the venue, with supporters creating an electric atmosphere throughout Matchday Two, as a string of closely fought contests kept the stands engaged.
Qualifying results and notable wins
- Agunbiade Sultan secured a narrow victory over India’s Jaynil Mehta in a tense men’s singles qualifier.
- Afeez Yunus overcame Togo’s Abdoulmadjid Tchassma in another key men’s singles match.
- Anuoluwa Ajuwon delivered a strong showing for Nigeria, beating Ghana’s Agnes Colema 3-1 in the women’s draw.
With the qualification round completed, attention now turns to the main draw, which is expected to provide the high-level tournament viewing Sanwo-Olu believes Lagos can consistently deliver. The men’s field features defending champion Anders Lind of Denmark, alongside France’s Thibault Poret, Korea Republic’s Oh Junsung and India’s Manav Thakkar.
In the women’s competition, Japan’s Honoka Hashimoto, Romania’s Elizabeth Samara and Egypt’s Dina Meshref headline a strong lineup.
Over the next four days, the tournament will feature singles, doubles and mixed doubles, with competitors chasing a total prize fund of $100,000. Sanwo-Olu framed the event as another step in reinforcing Lagos’s standing on the global sporting stage.
