Grassroots exposure laid foundation for my table tennis career — Kuti

Nigeria’s table tennis player, Mathew Kuti, says his journey into the sport began from humble beginnings, driven by passion, discipline and a strong desire to represent the country at the highest level.

Kuti told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview that he was introduced to table tennis at a young age through school sports activities and informal games within his local community.

According to him, what started as a recreational pastime gradually developed into a serious pursuit after he discovered his natural talent and competitive strength.

“My journey into table tennis started when I was very young.

“I was exposed to the game through my school and local environment where we played mainly for fun.

“Over time, I realised I had a special interest and ability in the sport, especially when I began competing with older players and holding my own against them,” he said.

Kuti said encouragement from coaches and senior players played a key role in his development, adding that structured training and early exposure to competitions helped to build his confidence.

“What really inspired me was the belief and support from my coaches, who kept telling me that I could go far if I remained focused and disciplined.”

He noted that watching Nigerian and international table tennis stars further motivated him to pursue the sport professionally, with the ambition of representing the country on major stages.

The player acknowledged that his journey had not been without challenges, particularly in balancing training with education and coping with limited resources, but said determination and consistency kept him going.

Kuti advised young players aspiring to excel in table tennis to remain patient, work hard and stay committed to continuous improvement, stressing that success in the sport required mental strength and discipline.

“Table tennis has taught me resilience, focus and discipline. With the right support and dedication, more Nigerian players can achieve global recognition,” he said.

NAN reports that Kuti is regarded as one of the emerging figures in Nigeria’s table tennis scene, with aspirations of winning major titles and inspiring the next generation of players.

Kuti, alongside Abdulfatai Abdubasit, won the gold medal in the Under-19 boys’ doubles event at the 2025 ITTF Africa Youth Championships in Lagos after defeating a Tunisian pair in the final.

The victory marked a major success for Team Nigeria and qualified the duo for further international competitions.

Kuti also recently reclaimed his national title at the 10th Elicris Table Tennis Cup, defeating Muiz Adegoke 4–2 in the final.

The win marked a strong comeback after he had earlier lost the title to Abdubasit, while his consistent performances have further strengthened his status as one of Africa’s top table tennis players. (NAN)

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