Nigeria’s emerging table tennis sensation, Mathew Kuti, says his journey in the sport began as a childhood pastime, driven by passion, discipline, and the ambition to represent his country at the highest level.
Kuti told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that he was introduced to table tennis through school sports and informal community games. “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.
He credited his growth to the encouragement of coaches and senior players, as well as structured training and early competition exposure, which boosted his confidence. Watching Nigerian and international table tennis stars further inspired him to pursue the sport professionally.
Despite facing challenges such as balancing education with training and coping with limited resources, Kuti emphasized that determination and consistency have been key to his progress. He advised young players to remain patient, work hard, and stay committed. “Table tennis has taught me resilience, focus and discipline. With the right support and dedication, more Nigerian players can achieve global recognition,” he said.
Kuti has already achieved notable success. He, alongside Abdulfatai Abdubasit, won gold in the Under-19 boys’ doubles at the 2025 ITTF Africa Youth Championships in Lagos, defeating a Tunisian pair. He also reclaimed his national title at the 10th Elicris Table Tennis Cup, defeating Muiz Adegoke 4–2 in the final, marking a strong comeback after earlier losing the title to Abdubasit.
These accomplishments have cemented Kuti’s status as one of Africa’s rising stars in table tennis, with aspirations of inspiring the next generation of Nigerian players and winning major international titles.