NTTF mourns former national coach Obisanya

The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation has expressed sorrow over the passing of former national coach Babatunde Obisanya, a trailblazer of the sport who passed away on Tuesday, October 6, at the age of 77 following a lengthy illness. Before serving as a coach, Obisanya competed as a player for Nigeria. Federation President Adesoji Tayo hailed him as a towering figure whose contributions to the sport have been immense, both in Nigeria and across Africa.

Despite retiring in 2010, Obisanya continued to offer valuable guidance to the federation, frequently attending national competitions to provide support and share his extensive experience. Known for his passion for the sport and his willingness to voice his concerns, Obisanya was also a mentor figure to numerous players, leaving a significant void in the table tennis community.

In 1968, Obisanya achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first men's singles champion of the Asoju Oba Cup, a competition sponsored by the late Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas. He shared the Nigeria Sportsman of The Year award with athletics star Modupe Osikoya in 1976 for his outstanding achievements at home and abroad. Obisanya represented Nigeria in various international events, including the African Games, African Championships, and World Championships during the 1970s.

He played a crucial role during the "Ping Pong Diplomacy" era, along with Lateef Sunmola, by reaching the finals of a major tournament as one of the few non-Asian pairs at that level. After retiring as a player, Obisanya served as the head coach of the national team from 1976 to 2010, mentoring some of Africa's finest players, including the legendary Segun Toriola.

Even after leaving the post, he remained active in sports administration by chairing the Adegboyega Efunkoya National U-15 Table Tennis Championship, advocating for the integration of education with youth sports development. Obisanya was also a vocal critic of what he perceived as the neglect of table tennis and other sports in favor of football.