ITTF Africa Youth Championship: Podium Finish Race Heats Up In Singles, Doubles Duels
As the 2025 ITTF Africa Youth Championships approach their final stretch, the competition intensifies with players set to battle for semi-final spots in the singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events on Saturday, August 2, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
In the singles category, the race for top honours is heating up among host nation Nigeria, continental powerhouse Egypt, and Tunisia. All eyes will be on the Boys’ U-19 division, where defending champion Wassim Essid of Tunisia faces a tough challenge in the round of 16.
A potential rematch with Nigeria’s Abdulbasit Abdulfatai looms, while Matthew Kuti also remains a strong contender for the gold.
In the Girls’ U-19 event, Egypt’s Mariam Younes appears poised for a smooth path to the final, with her main competition likely coming from fellow Egyptians.
The Boys’ U-15 category features Uganda’s rising star Joseph Sebatindira, who is chasing his first continental title. However, he must overcome stiff competition from players representing Egypt, Nigeria, and Tunisia.
In the Girls’ U-15 division, the medal race is expected to be a three-way contest among Egypt, Tunisia, and Uganda. Uganda’s team victory in the event has boosted confidence, with standout player Patience Anyango set to face off against top talents from Tunisia and Egypt.
The doubles and mixed doubles events are also shaping up to be tightly contested, with Nigeria, Egypt, and Tunisia leading the charge. Uganda’s presence in the doubles race is focused on the U-15 category, where Sebatindira and Anyango are spearheading the East African nation’s campaign.
So far, Nigeria has asserted its dominance in the team events, claiming two of the four gold medals on offer. Egypt and Uganda secured the remaining two, winning the Girls’ U-19 and U-15 team titles respectively.
