Kwara born table tennis player Tobi Matti has intensified his ambition of qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as he continues to build his professional career in Italy and improve his international ranking.
The 25 year old, who has spent over five years competing professionally in Europe, said the Olympic Games remain his ultimate target and a key measure of his progress in the sport.
Matti currently plays for TT Centro Sportivo Bonacossa and has been competing in Italy’s domestic league system while also participating in international tournaments across Europe.
According to him, the journey has been financially and professionally challenging due to limited sponsorship support, forcing him to rely heavily on personal funding to sustain his career abroad.
He noted that despite these challenges, his determination to reach the highest level of table tennis has kept him focused on continuous improvement and participation in global competitions.
Matti, who started playing table tennis at the age of eight in Nigeria, later stud Business Administration at Kwara State Polytechnic before transitioning fully into professional sports.
He has represented Nigeria at several international competitions, including the ITTF Nigeria Open, the Portugal Open, and the Africa Senior Table Tennis Team Championship, gaining valuable experience on the global stage.
In Europe, one of his major achievements came when he helped TT Ennio Cristofaro win a league title after several seasons of near misses, describing the victory as the result of persistence and teamwork.
In the most recent season, he finished fourth with Tennistavolo Torre del Greco ASD, further cementing his consistency in Italy’s competitive table tennis circuit.
Matti has also contributed to grassroots development in Nigeria by donating table tennis equipment to young players in Kwara State, aiming to support the next generation of athletes.
He emphasized the need for stronger financial backing for Nigerian athletes, noting that many talented players struggle to afford training camps and international tournaments.
Looking ahead, Matti remains focused on improving his global ranking and securing qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games, which he describes as the defining goal of his career.
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