African Youth Table Tennis Showdown Begins in Accra

African Youth Table Tennis Showdown Begins in Accra

The 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Championships have officially kicked off in Accra, Ghana, where the continent’s brightest young talents will battle for glory and coveted tickets to the World Youth Championships in Turkey later this year. From Monday, July 20, the Borteyman Sports Complex will host 163 players - 94 boys and 69 girls - representing 23 nations, all determined to leave their mark over ten days of intense competition.

The team events in the U-19 and U-15 categories promise fierce rivalries, with finalists securing qualification to Turkey. Egypt and Nigeria enter as top seeds in the boys’ divisions, while Egypt and Algeria lead the girls’ U-15 rankings. Tunisia and Uganda, however, are poised to challenge the established order, adding intrigue to the race for continental supremacy.

The Ghana Table Tennis Association has meticulously prepared the stage, ensuring athletes can showcase their skills across team, singles, and doubles events. 

Among the rising stars, Egypt’s Sameh Asser stands out. Crowned U-15 Boys’ Doubles champion in Lagos last year and recipient of the Fair Play Award, Asser has already impressed on the WTT Youth Contender circuit. He will be joined by Habiba Elbasoumy, runner-up in the U-19 singles in Lagos and a consistent podium finisher in Dammam, who is expected to anchor Egypt’s girls’ campaign.

For the host nation, Ghana’s hopes rest on the shoulders of Israel Aklie and Joanita Borteye. Aklie, the 2024 Africa Hopes Champion and Ghana’s Table Tennis Player of the Year, brings valuable international experience from competitions in the UK and China. Borteye, ranked 11th in Africa and reigning national champion, is tipped to be a hometown star, buoyed by local support.

Nigeria, a perennial powerhouse, will rely on the seasoned duo of Matthew Kuti and Favour Ojo to guide their charge, while Algeria’s Jade and Tania Morice aim to challenge the dominance of Egypt and Nigeria. Tunisia, led by national champion Wassim Essid, also enters with ambitions to disrupt the hierarchy.

Beyond qualification, medals and prize money in singles and doubles events add further stakes to what promises to be a thrilling championship. 

With the continent’s finest youth talents converging in Accra, the next 10 days will determine who earns a place on the global stage and reveal the future stars of African table tennis.