Seven-time Olympian Olufunke Oshonaike said Nigerian table tennis players are making steady progress in spite of the challenges they face in competing regularly at international tournaments.

Oshonaike said in an interview on Wednesday in Lagos.

She said many players are improving in both skill and experience, but limited financial support continues to affect their development and world rankings.

“The players are improving, and the girls are improving too, but the others are also making progress.

“What many people do not understand is that regular participation in international tournaments is necessary for athletes to improve, gain experience and move up on the rankings,” she said.

According to her, the biggest challenge facing many Nigerian players is not a lack of talent, but the high cost of participating in international competitions.

She explained that competing in World Table Tennis (WTT) events and other global tournaments requires significant financial resources, which many athletes struggle to secure.

“If you want to play in WTT competitions, it is very expensive. Sometimes athletes have to fund themselves to attend competitions.

“We are not like footballers who have a lot of money. Without regular competitions, it is difficult to improve rankings,” Oshonaike said.

The table tennis icon noted that in spite of these challenges, Nigerian players have continued to show determination and commitment in their pursuit of excellence.

She said many athletes often rely on personal funds to participate in continental championships and other important tournaments needed for their growth.

Throughout her career, she became known for her consistency, discipline and resilience, earning respect from players and administrators across the world.

The table tennis icon also disclosed plans to revive her table tennis clinic for young players, particularly girls, as part of efforts to contribute to the development of the sport in Nigeria.

Oshonaike said the initiative would, however, depend on securing adequate sponsorship and support from corporate organisations and other stakeholders.

“I really want to do something, especially for the girls, but I cannot do it alone.

“I just hope I can get sponsors to support me. By the grace of God, if not this year, by 2027, I will start a big clinic,” she said.

She noted that grassroots programmes and youth clinics remained important avenues for discovering and nurturing future champions.

The Olympian also commended Nigeria’s leading player, Quadri Aruna, for his efforts toward establishing a table tennis academy aimed at developing young talents and creating opportunities for the next generation of players.

For more than three decades, Oshonaike has remained one of the most respected figures in Nigerian sports.

She represented Nigeria at seven Olympic Games, making her one of Africa’s most accomplished table tennis players.

She said such initiatives are critical to sustaining Nigeria’s status as one of Africa’s leading table tennis nations.

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has joined the rest of the squad in Warsaw ahead of Wednesday’s international friendly against Poland.

Ndidi and other stars such as Moses Simon and Akor Adams were named in the squad for the June international window but were absent as a new-look Eric Chelle side won the Unity Cup title in London at The Valley, Charlton Athletic stadium.

The team arrived in the Polish capital on Monday and held their first training session under light rain at the Stadion Polonii Warsaw, ahead of their clash at the PGE Narodowy Stadium on Wednesday.

According to the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, 18 players arrived in Poland, but only 16 took part in the session.

The players in camp include goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo.

Ndidi, Simon and Adams were joined by Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi, who captained the team in London, Tochukwu Nnadi, Emmanuel Fernandez, Semi Ajayi, Rafiu Durosinmi, Zaidu Sanusi, Igho Ogbu, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Bruno Onyemaechi and Banik Ostrava midfielder Abdullahi Ibrahim.

After facing Poland on Wednesday, the Super Eagles will travel to Portugal, where they will take on the Selecao in their final World Cup tune-up game of the current international window.

Chelle, fresh from leading the Eagles to retain the Unity Cup in London, is looking forward to Wednesday’s game with optimism.

“There is a culture of winning that we are trying to build in this team, and that mentality is important. You can say that it is difficult to have games at this time because the players have been in holiday mood for about two weeks, but the job must be done.

“We have 18 players in camp now and we will work with that. Everybody must work hard and we will go into the match with the determination to win.”

Ahead of the friendlies, Chelle had lamented the absences of 2023 and 2024 African Players of the Year, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.

The Franco-Malian coach will also be without midfielder Alhassan Yusuf and Samuel Chukwueze, who recently buried his mother in Imo State.

Super Falcons players are expected to start arriving in camp in Ikenne, Ogun State, ahead of their upcoming pre-WAFCON double-header friendlies against Senegal.

The Nigeria Football Federation announced head coach Justine Madugu’s 23-player squad for the matches which come after the 10-time African champions missed other windows to prepare for the 2026 WAFCON.

Madugu’s list includes captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and veteran forward Asisat Oshoala.

Midfielder Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene also retained her place in the squad after returning during the recent friendlies against Cameroon following a three-year absence, while forwards Francisca Ordega and Gift Monday were also called up.

Belarus-based Blessing Nkor returns to the squad after last featuring in the friendly against France in November 2024, while Turkey-based midfielder Kafayat Shittu also earned another invitation after impressing for Giresun Sanayispor Kulübü.

Another returnee is London City Lionesses defender Rofiat Imuran, who has not featured for the Super Falcons since the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Also included in the squad are home-based goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi, Israel-based defender Sikiratu Isah, defender Tosin Demehin, midfielders Halimatu Ayinde and Toni Payne, as well as forwards Folashade Ijamilusi and Joy Omewa.

The trio of Christy Ucheibe, Shukurat Oladipo and Rinsola Babajide, who all won titles with their clubs during the recently concluded season, also made the squad.

The Super Falcons will host Senegal on Friday, June 5, with a second match between both teams scheduled for Monday, June 8. Both games will take place at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne-Remo.

Senegal will face hosts Morocco, Algeria and Kenya in Group A of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco from July 25 to August 16, while 10-time champions Nigeria will take on Egypt, Zambia and debutants Malawi in Group C.

The two friendly matches are expected to form part of Nigeria’s preparations for the continental tournament as Madugu continues to assess his squad ahead of the competition.