{"id":328541,"date":"2025-12-06T06:24:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-06T06:24:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/328541\/"},"modified":"2025-12-06T06:24:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-06T06:24:10","slug":"tennis-oshonaike-drops-bat-becomes-first-nigerian-appointed-to-ioc-commission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/328541\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennis: Oshonaike drops bat, becomes first Nigerian appointed to IOC Commission"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Olufunke Oshonaike, a legendary figure in African table tennis and a seven-time Olympian, has etched her name into the history books once again, this time off the court.\n<\/p>\n

The Nigerian icon has become the first athlete to be appointed to the prestigious International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes\u2019 Commission, following her nomination by IOC President Kirsty Coventry.\n<\/p>\n

The appointment marks a new chapter for the 50-year-old, who has long been celebrated not only for her longevity in sport but also for her leadership and advocacy.\n<\/p>\n

Oshonaike is one of five new members drafted onto the Commission to complete its full composition ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.\n<\/p>\n

In a statement released, the IOC confirmed the inclusion of Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha (Iran, badminton), Husein Alireza (Saudi Arabia, rowing), Cheick Sallah Ciss\u00e9 (C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, taekwondo), Olufunke Oshonaike (Nigeria, table tennis), and Mariana Paj\u00f3n (Colombia, cycling). Their appointments were made in consultation with IOC Athletes\u2019 Commission Chair Emma Terho.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Athletes\u2019 Commission is essential in making sure athletes remain at the heart of everything we do,\u201d Coventry said. \u201cI am deeply grateful to our new members for their commitment and the wealth of experience they bring in service to athletes worldwide.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

For Oshonaike, the appointment is a culmination of decades of service and excellence. Having competed in seven consecutive Olympic Games, from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020, she remains one of Africa\u2019s most enduring athletes. She currently serves on both the Nigeria National Olympic Committee Athletes\u2019 Commission and the Nigeria Table Tennis Athletes\u2019 Commission, continuing her advocacy for athletes on and off the international stage.\n<\/p>\n

Her fellow African appointee, Cheick Sallah Ciss\u00e9 of C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, is a Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist in taekwondo and co-chair of the World Taekwondo Athletes\u2019 Commission.\n<\/p>\n

With these new additions, the IOC Athletes\u2019 Commission now stands at 23 members representing all continents, including a representative from the Refugee Olympic Team. The group comprises 13 women and 10 men, spanning 15 summer sports and five winter disciplines, reflecting the IOC\u2019s push for balanced global representation. <\/p>\n

Chair Emma Terho welcomed the new members warmly, noting, \u201cTheir diverse backgrounds, achievements, and experience will enrich our discussions and help us continue to advocate for athletes worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Oshonaike, the moment is personal and deeply meaningful. She attributed her appointment to years of dedication and the global support she received, especially during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games campaign.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cI am so excited because during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games campaign, I was impressed by the huge support from my country and athletes across the world,\u201d she said. \u201cThis appointment confirms that my efforts did not go unnoticed. It has been my dream to impact the sport that has given me the rare opportunity to live well in life.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Her new role places her at the heart of decision-making within the Olympic Movement. The IOC Athletes\u2019 Commission, made up of up to 23 members, including 12 elected by athletes during the Games and up to 11 appointed by the IOC President, ensures that athletes\u2019 voices are represented in all major IOC decisions.\n<\/p>\n

Oshonaike began her table tennis journey in the early 1980s as a young girl playing on Akeju Street in Shomolu, Lagos. She has since grown into one of Africa\u2019s most accomplished athletes.\n<\/p>\n

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, she competed in the women\u2019s singles event, defeating Mariana Sahakian of Lebanon in the preliminary round before losing to Puerto Rico\u2019s Adriana D\u00edaz in the first round. She also carried Nigeria\u2019s flag during the Parade of Nations.<\/p>\n

Oshonaike went on to compete in the women\u2019s singles at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, her seventh consecutive appearance, having previously represented Nigeria at Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016.\n<\/p>\n

For Nigeria and Africa, Oshonaike\u2019s appointment is far more than an individual achievement. It is a powerful symbol of recognition, one that honours her remarkable journey and promises stronger representation for African athletes on the global Olympic stage.<\/p>\n

Anthony Nlebem<\/a> <\/p>\n

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA\/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content. <\/p>\n

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