The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation has mourned the death of former national coach Babatunde Obisanya, who passed away on Tuesday, October 6, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 77.
Obisanya was one of Nigeria’s pioneering table tennis figures, first making his mark as a player before embarking on a lengthy coaching career.
Federation president Adesoji Tayo described him as a towering figure whose contributions helped advance table tennis in Nigeria and across Africa.
Tayo said Obisanya remained deeply committed to the sport even after retiring from coaching in 2010, regularly attending national competitions and offering advice to the federation and players.
“He was also a father figure to many players, and he will be greatly missed by the entire table tennis family in Nigeria and Africa,” Tayo said.
Obisanya made history in 1968 when he became the inaugural men’s singles champion of the Asoju Oba Cup, a competition founded in Lagos and sponsored by the late Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas.
His achievements earned him further recognition in 1976 when he shared the Nigeria Sportsman of the Year award with athletics star Modupe Osikoya.
He represented Nigeria at the African Games, African Championships and World Championships and emerged as one of the country’s leading international players during the 1970s.
During the 1975 “Ping Pong Diplomacy” era, Obisanya and Lateef Sunmola reached the final of a major tournament, reportedly becoming the only non-Asian pair to achieve the feat at that level.
As national coach from 1976 to 2010, he mentored several top players, including Nigerian legend Segun Toriola.
Obisanya remained active in sports development after retirement and chaired the Adegboyega Efunkoya National U-15 Table Tennis Championship, championing the combination of education and youth sports.
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