ITTF Africa pays tribute to Nigerian icon Obisanya

The African Table Tennis Federation, ITTF Africa, has paid tribute to Nigerian table tennis legend Babatunde Obisanya, describing him as one of the most influential figures in the sport on the continent.

Obisanya, a former player, coach and administrator, died on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, after a prolonged illness at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital at the age of 77.

In a statement signed by its President, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, the federation’s Executive Committee expressed profound sorrow and said his influence extended beyond Nigeria through his work as an ITTF instructor and mentor during his years as national coach.

“Obisanya was a great player and coach whose contribution to the growth of table tennis in Nigeria and Africa cannot be overlooked. He groomed several world-class players, including legends such as Segun Toriola and Monday Merotohun. His commanding presence as a coach earned him the respect of players and officials alike.

“He was firm in his convictions and always stood his ground when it mattered most. He will be greatly missed by the table tennis family across Africa. We commiserate with his family on this loss and pray for the peaceful repose of his soul,” Oshodi said.

Obisanya made history in 1968 when he became the first men’s singles champion of the now-defunct Asoju Oba Cup. The competition was sponsored by the late Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas and began as a Lagos event, with 20 men and 12 women in its first edition. In 1976, he shared the Nigeria Sportsman of the Year award with athletics star Modupe Osikoya.

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He represented Nigeria at the African Games, the African Championships and the World Championships, and was among the country’s most prominent international players in the 1970s. During the “Ping Pong Diplomacy” era in 1975, he and Lateef Sunmola reached the finals of a major tournament, becoming the only non-Asian pair to do so at the time.

Obisanya served as head coach of the national team from 1976 to 2010, mentoring some of Africa’s finest players, including Toriola. He remained active in administration after stepping down and chaired the Adegboyega Efunkoya National U-15 Table Tennis Championship, where he pushed for education to be combined with youth sports development.

The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation also mourned him with President, Adesoji Tayo, saying, “It is sad to hear of the passing of one of Nigeria’s longest-serving players and coaches, Babatunde Obisanya, whose immense contribution to the sport cannot be overstated.”

Tayo added that Obisanya continued to offer advice to the federation after retiring in 2010 and was always present at national competitions.

“He was also a father figure to many players, and he will be greatly missed by the entire table tennis family in Nigeria and Africa,” he said.

Obisanya was also known as an outspoken critic of what he saw as the neglect of table tennis and other sports in favour of football.