Bankole: Why Africa Backed Nigeria For 2027 Para Championships
Anderson Bankole, Chairman of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Para Commission, has attributed Nigeria’s successful bid to host the 2027 African Para Championships to the country’s growing reputation and proven capacity to stage major international sporting events.
Nigeria secured the hosting rights at the ITTF Africa Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Tangier, Morocco, becoming the first country outside North Africa to host the continental championship.
The 2027 competition, scheduled for Lagos, will serve as a qualifying tournament for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, offering Nigerian para table tennis players the opportunity to compete on home soil against some of Africa’s best athletes.
Bankole, a retired Commissioner of Police, said the decision reflected the confidence African table tennis stakeholders had in Nigeria’s ability to deliver a successful championship.
‘Delegates at the AGM believe in Nigeria’s capacity to host a befitting tournament. Egypt has traditionally hosted several continental competitions, but this championship will give Nigeria the opportunity to showcase its athletes and warmly welcome the rest of Africa to Lagos,’ he said.
Egypt is expected to host the 2026 edition before Nigeria takes over in 2027, giving the country an opportunity to strengthen its team and improve its athletes’ chances of qualifying for the Paralympic Games.
Bankole said Nigeria’s growing profile in para table tennis, reinforced by its performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, had helped strengthen its standing within the continental sporting community.
‘What stood Nigeria out in Morocco was the overwhelming support the country received when it was presented as the host of the African Para Championships. Many delegates unanimously endorsed Nigeria’s bid, demonstrating their confidence in the country’s ability to organise a world-class qualifying competition,’ he added.
He described the hosting rights as a landmark achievement for Nigerian para table tennis and a boost for the development of para sports across Africa.
Bankole assured the ITTF, ITTF Africa and the wider para table tennis community that Nigeria would work with relevant stakeholders to deliver an accessible, safe and memorable championship.
‘On behalf of the ITTF Africa Para Committee, and in collaboration with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, I want to assure the ITTF, ITTF Africa and the entire para table tennis family that we will work collectively to deliver a world-class, accessible, safe and memorable championship,’ he said.
He also expressed delight that Nigeria secured the hosting rights at a time when a Nigerian is leading the ITTF Africa Para Commission.
Bankole thanked ITTF President Petra Sörling, ITTF Africa President Wahid Enitan Oshodi, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation President Dr Adesoji Tayo, the ATTF Executive Committee, the National Sports Commission and the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria for their support.
He expressed confidence that the championship would attract strong participation from across the continent, with Nigeria’s recent achievements in para table tennis expected to further raise interest in the competition.
