Moments like these are what fuel the dreams of young athletes across the African continent. In Lagos, under the bright lights of the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, the ITTF Africa Youth Cup 2025 delivered a spectacle packed with drama, resilience, and the promise of a new generation of stars. As the dust settled, the names of Wassim Essid, Mariam Younes, Tania Morice, and Joseph Sebatindira shone brightest, each carving their own piece of history and leaving a mark on the future of African table tennis.
The rise of new champions in Lagos
The sound of paddles clashing and the cheers of a passionate crowd set the stage for a tournament that meant so much more than medals. With 76 determined players—45 boys and 31 girls—representing 14 African nations, this inaugural event was a testament to the continent’s vibrant sporting ecosystem. Under the full endorsement of the International Table Tennis Federation, the stakes were substantial, offering not only coveted titles but valuable ranking points that could shape careers for years to come.
Wassim Essid’s road to redemption and glory
Few stories embodied the spirit of competition better than that of Tunisia’s Wassim Essid. Crowned Africa’s top-ranked male youth player, Essid arrived in Lagos with a point to prove. After falling short in his bid to defend the ITTF Africa Youth Championships title, losing 1-4 to Egypt’s Badr Mostafa, some might have expected heads to drop. Instead, Essid summoned the fortitude that defines true champions.
His path was anything but easy. Facing a formidable opponent in Nigeria’s Abdulbasit Abdulfatai in the quarterfinals, Essid endured a seven-game thriller, scraping through 4-3 before dispatching all remaining challengers with clinical focus. In the final, he produced a masterclass, overwhelming Nigeria’s Muiz Adegoke 4-0 to clinch the boys’ U-19 singles crown at the BRF Cup. For Essid, the victory was not just about silverware—it was a hard-earned conclusion to an intense stint in Nigeria, which had included the WTT Contender Lagos and the African Youth tournaments that spanned nearly two weeks of relentless play.
Mariam Younes: Dominance and composure in the girls’ U-19
Egypt’s Mariam Younes continues to build a reputation as one of Africa’s most formidable youth talents. Fresh off a successful title defense at the ITTF Africa Youth Championships, Younes took to the table with confidence and poise. In the girls’ U-19 singles final, she delivered a faultless performance, sweeping aside compatriot Nour Zaki 4-0. This latest triumph further cements her growing legacy, showing a blend of technical prowess and mental resilience rarely found in her age group.
Tania Morice and the art of the comeback
What makes sports truly unforgettable is the narrative of comebacks and Tania Morice of Algeria provided just that. In the inaugural girls’ U-15 singles final, Morice found herself in deep waters, dropping the first two games against Uganda’s Jemimah Nakawala. Refusing to buckle under pressure, Morice rallied, shifting tactics and summoning a level of intensity that left spectators in awe. She stormed back to take the next three games, winning 3-2 with scores of 5-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-2, 11-6, a run that stands as a testament to her fighting spirit and technical maturity. Morice’s victory adds to her title at the Youth Championships, underlining her status as a rising star to watch.
Sebatindira’s statement for Uganda in the boys’ U-15
Uganda’s presence on the continental table tennis stage has been steadily growing, and Joseph Sebatindira’s flawless run in the boys’ U-15 singles event brought that evolution into sharp focus. Facing fellow Ugandan Sharif Nsereko in the final, Sebatindira was untouchable, winning 3-0 in straight sets. His victory underlined a shift in momentum for Uganda, suggesting that the depth of talent in the country is fast catching up with its African counterparts.
Lagos as the new home of African table tennis
The ITTF Africa Youth Cup’s location in Lagos is far from coincidental. The city has become the epicenter of African table tennis, its rise owed to strategic vision that dates back to 2013, when then-Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola championed the Lagos International Sports Classics. With table tennis as a flagship sport, this legacy has seen Lagos become the proud host of the ITTF Challenge Series and the increasingly popular WTT Contender Lagos.
Now, with the BRF Cup named in Fashola’s honor, Lagos cements its status as the continent’s table tennis capital, a place where young talent can aspire, compete, and ultimately, thrive on an international stage.
Impact and legacy beyond medals
For every champion crowned, there are dozens of other stories—of heartbreak, resilience, and inspiration woven through the competition. The 2025 ITTF Africa Youth Cup was more than just a tournament; it was a convergence of dreams, discipline, and unity. The event provided invaluable exposure, helping emerging talents build character and gain experience that will fuel their ambitions for years to come.
With the tournament results set to influence ITTF world rankings, these young athletes are poised for greater opportunities. The future of African table tennis, as illustrated in Lagos, looks not only bright but fiercely competitive.
Inspiring a continent
The stories of Essid, Younes, Morice, and Sebatindira serve as reminders of what’s possible with hard work, courage, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Their journeys inspire not just the next generation of players, but entire communities who now see themselves reflected on an international podium.
As we look forward, it is clear that African table tennis is entering a promising era—one marked by vision, dedication, and a passion for sport that transcends borders. The ITTF Africa Youth Cup 2025 did more than name champions; it lit a fire of hope and ambition across a continent with limitless potential.
