NTTF Mourns Table Tennis Pioneer Obisanya, Who Died at 77

The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has mourned the death of former national player and coach Babatunde Obisanya, who died at the age of 77.

Obisanya passed away on Tuesday, October 6, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) after a prolonged illness.

His death has left the Nigerian table tennis community mourning the loss of one of the pioneers who helped establish the country’s presence on the international stage.

NTTF President Adesoji Tayo described Obisanya as a towering figure whose contribution to Nigerian table tennis extended well beyond his playing and coaching career.

Tayo recalled that even after ending his coaching career in 2010, Obisanya remained actively connected to the federation, regularly attending competitions, offering advice and speaking passionately about issues affecting the sport.

He also described the late veteran as a father figure to many players, adding that his absence would be deeply felt by the table tennis family in Nigeria and Africa.

Obisanya had already carved his name into Nigerian sporting history long before his coaching years.

In 1968, he became the inaugural men’s singles winner of the Asoju Oba Cup, which subsequently developed into one of Nigeria’s notable table tennis competitions.

His achievements earned further recognition in 1976 when he was named Nigeria’s Sportsman of the Year alongside athletics star Modupe Osikoya.

On the international stage, Obisanya represented Nigeria at the African Games, African Championships and World Championships, emerging as one of the country’s leading players during the 1970s.

He was also part of the generation that featured prominently during the historic era of “Ping Pong Diplomacy”.

In 1975, his partnership with Lateef Sunmola produced notable tournament success, with the Nigerian pair reaching major finals during an era largely dominated by Asian players.

After his playing career, Obisanya devoted himself to coaching and became one of the longest-serving figures around Nigeria’s national team.

Among the players who benefited from his wealth of experience was Segun Toriola, who later established himself as one of Africa’s greatest table tennis players.

Obisanya also made significant contributions to grassroots development through the Adegboyega Efunkoya National U-15 Table Tennis Championship, where he promoted the development of young players and advocated combining sporting excellence with education.

From national champion to coach, mentor and youth development advocate, Obisanya dedicated more than five decades to Nigerian table tennis.

His death marks the end of an important chapter in the history of the sport, leaving behind generations of players and administrators shaped by his knowledge, passion and unwavering commitment to table tennis in Nigeria and Africa.