Libya’s second-largest city, Benghazi, will host the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Cup from Feb. 7 to Feb. 9, where top continental players will compete for spots at the 2026 ITTF World Cup in Macao, China.
The championship, which is happening for the first time in the history of table tennis, will be held from Feb. 7 to Feb. 9 at the Al-Nasr Sports Club in Benghazi.
The tournament will bring together elite male and female players. The stakes are high, as semifinalists in both singles categories will automatically qualify for the World Cup scheduled for next month in Macao.
For the ITTF and its African counterpart, Libya’s hosting of the championship is more than a competition; it is a testament to the sport’s diversity and a celebration of unity and excellence across Africa.
President of ITTF Africa, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, commended the Libyan Table Tennis Federation (LTTF) for its commitment to hosting the event.
Oshodi said Libya’s willingness to stage the championship demonstrates the growth and diversity of table tennis across the continent.
“Gatherings such as this celebrate both our diversity and our unity, defining what it means to be part of the table tennis family,” he said.
ITTF President Petra Sörling said the Africa Cup clearly shows the continent’s growing influence in global table tennis.
She noted that sustained efforts in competition delivery, high-performance development, and organisational capacity had strengthened Africa’s presence on the international stage.
“The ITTF Africa Cup shows Africa’s rising influence in international table tennis,” Sörling said.
She added that the 2025 edition of the tournament was significant. The sport is approaching its centenary.
Oshodi also described the competition as an important platform for players. It helps them enhance their preparations ahead of major global events, including the 2026 World Team Championships in London.
According to Sörling, 2026 will mark 100 years since the ITTF’s founding. It will also be 100 years since the staging of the first World Table Tennis Championships in 1926.
She said the centenary milestone belongs to the entire global table tennis community, whose dedication has shaped the sport over the decades.
Looking ahead, Sörling, an IOC Executive Member, said Africa’s role in the global sporting movement continued to expand. Major milestones are ahead, including preparations for the first-ever Youth Olympic Games to be hosted on the continent.
She added that the ITTF Africa Cup symbolised Africa’s ambition and growing confidence in the global table tennis arena.
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