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Nigeria’s 16-year-old table tennis player, Favour Ojo, has earned a place at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games after rising from practising on a wooden plank in her family compound to competing internationally.
Ojo began playing table tennis in 2021 with a group of boys in her family compound. She later told her mother she wanted to train properly, prompting her mother to take her to a stadium.
“My mom is my greatest supporter,” Ojo said. “And after getting to the stadium, my coach did so much for me.”
Her coach, Omoniyi Adedotun, began training her in Akure in 2022. He is the head table tennis coach for Ondo State and also coaches Nigeria’s national team.
Adedotun said he recognised her talent, determination and competitive spirit early in her development.
“I believed that with the right guidance, discipline, and consistent training, she could compete at the highest level,” he said.
However, Ojo’s journey has not been without setbacks. After performing well at her first competition, she lost several tournaments and became discouraged. She eventually stepped away from the sport.
Adedotun continued contacting her mother and encouraged her to return to training. Ojo eventually resumed playing and soon won a tournament in Lagos.
“That was when I knew I could still do more,” she said. “That I could be better.”
Today, her training starts with jogging, physical conditioning and footwork drills before she begins playing. She said her coach continues to push her on days when she struggles to find motivation.
“Now I’m grateful for everything he did,” she said.
Ojo has since recorded major achievements in her young career. She won gold with Nigeria’s mixed team at the 4th Africa Youth Games in Angola.
In October 2025, she also represented Nigeria’s senior women’s team at the ITTF African Championships in Tunis, Tunisia, despite still being a junior player. Nigeria reached the team event’s semi-finals before losing to Uganda.
“It was a huge achievement for me,” she said, reflecting on competing in the senior category while still a junior.
The tournament also came with a personal sacrifice. It coincided with her school examinations, but she chose to compete. Her biggest sacrifice so far, she said, has been “leaving exams for sports.”
Balancing school and table tennis remains a challenge. Ojo said she often moves between the classroom and competitions, leaving little time for regular training during school terms.
Since there are few players at her school who can provide strong competition, she focuses on gym work during term time and resumes table tennis training when she returns home.
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games were not part of her original plans, as she had always dreamed of competing at the senior Olympic Games. However, she said she was excited to represent Nigeria at the youth event, the first Olympic event held on African soil.
“It means a lot,” she said. “I’m looking forward to representing Nigeria.”
Ojo will compete among 32 girls in the table tennis event, scheduled to run from October 31 to November 5, 2026.
Beyond Dakar, she hopes to train in France or China after completing her education. She believes training alongside elite players will help her gain experience and improve her game.
“So I can have more exposure, train with high levels, and improve my game,” she said.
Her coach is optimistic about her future and believes her journey is only beginning.
“As a coach, there is no greater satisfaction than discovering a young talent, helping to develop that talent, and seeing the athlete go on to represent her country successfully,” Adedotun said. “I believe this is only the beginning.”
Credit: Abisola Alawode by Bird Story Agency.
