Wahid Oshodi makes history with appointment to World Table Tennis board
Nigeria’s Wahid Oshodi has made history following his appointment to the board of World Table Tennis (WTT), the commercial arm of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).
The announcement was made during the ITTF Executive Board meeting held on March 1, 2026, at the WTT headquarters in Singapore.
Following the allocation of portfolios, Petra Sörling, President of the ITTF, and Oshodi, who serves as Executive Vice President of the federation, were appointed to represent the ITTF on the WTT Board. At the subsequent meeting, Sörling was confirmed as Chair of the Board, succeeding Liu Guoliang of China and Khalil Al-Mohannadi of Qatar.
As the majority owner of WTT, the ITTF emphasised its responsibility to ensure the commercial platform generates sustainable value for the sport and its 227 member associations worldwide. The new appointments were described as part of the federation’s commitment to stronger oversight of WTT’s governance and strategic direction.
Also retaining their positions on the board are Lei Zhenjian, representing World Sports, and Steve Dainton, the Chief Executive Officer of WTT.
Speaking on her new role, Sörling highlighted the importance of responsible leadership in the growth of the sport.
“The ITTF has always been the foundation on which table tennis thrives, and WTT is our instrument to take it further. As Chair of the Board, I am here to ensure that WTT operates with profitability, governance, accountability, and long-term vision,” she said.
Oshodi also expressed his commitment to strengthening the organisation’s governance structure.
“Strong governance is what gives an organisation the structure to grow sustainably. I look forward to contributing to that work as the Board focuses on putting solid foundations in place for WTT’s long-term development,” he stated.
His appointment marks a historic milestone, making him the first African to serve as a full director on the WTT Board.
Since its creation in 2019, WTT has transformed professional table tennis with a modern, commercially driven approach aimed at expanding the sport’s global reach.
Oshodi’s elevation further strengthens African representation in global sports governance. He first gained prominence as President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), where he implemented reforms focused on governance, transparency, and athlete development.
Later becoming President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ITTF Africa), he played a key role in strengthening Africa’s voice within international table tennis while championing initiatives to expand access to the sport, improve coaching standards, and create opportunities for African athletes on the global stage.
His appointment to the WTT Board represents both a personal achievement and a significant milestone for African sports leadership, underlining the continent’s growing influence in global sports administration.
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