ITTF Africa, Lagos Association Mourn Death of Nigerian Table Tennis Legend, Obisanya at 77

The African Table Tennis Federation (ITTF Africa) has mourned the death of Nigerian table tennis legend, coach and administrator, Babatunde Obisanya.
Similarly, the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA) has expressed sadness over the death of renowned table tennis icon and coach, Babatunde Obisanya.
The association expressed deepest sympathy to the family, described his death as a monumental loss to Nigerian sports and the table tennis community.
Obisanya died on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at age 77, after a prolonged illness at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
The federation described him as one of the most influential figures in the development of the sport in Africa.
This was contained in a statement by the ITTF Africa President, Enitan Oshodi, issued to newsmen yesterday in Lagos.
Oshodi further described Obisanya as a major force in Nigerian and African table tennis.
Obisanya represented Nigeria with distinction as a player, before embarking on a coaching career that spanned more than three decades.
“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,” Oshodi said.
He said Obisanya was firm in his convictions and would be greatly missed by the table tennis family across Africa.
The ITTF Africa president commiserated with Obisanya’s family and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
The late coach etched his name into Nigerian sporting history in 1968 when he became the first men’s singles champion of the now-defunct Asoju Oba Cup.
It added that eight years later, in 1976, he was named Nigeria’s ‘Sportsman of the Year’, alongside legendary athletics star Modupe Osikoya, following a series of outstanding performances.
During his playing career, Obisanya represented Nigeria at major international competitions, including the African Games, African Championships and World Championships.
He was also one of the pioneers of Nigerian table tennis on the international stage during the 1970s.
One of the defining moments of his career came during the era of “Ping Pong Diplomacy” in 1975, when he partnered Lateef Sunmola to reach major international tournament finals.
The duo became the only non-Asian pair at the time, to achieve the feat.
Following his playing career, Obisanya served as head coach of the Nigerian national table tennis team from 1976 to 2010.
During his more than three decades in the role, he mentored several of Africa’s finest players, including Nigerian table tennis icon Segun Toriola, while helping to identify and develop young talents.
Even after leaving the national coaching position, Obisanya remained active in sports administration and grassroots development.
He served as chairman and a driving force behind the Adegboyega Efunkoya National U-15 Table Tennis Championship, where he promoted the combination of education and youth sports development.