Eyes on the Prize: Taiwo Mati's Olympic Miss, Dreams and the Road Ahead

In an exclusive sit-down with SportsBoom, Nigeria’s table tennis sensation and Le Havre star, Taiwo Mati, opened up about his journey, his disappointment over missing the Paris 2024 Olympics, and his ambitious plans to cement his place on the world stage. At just 19, Mati is already a name to reckon with in African table tennis, but even prodigies face challenges, and Mati is no exception.  

"Not the Best Feeling": Missing Paris 2024

Currently plying his trade in France with Le Havre in the French Pro B league, Mati is no stranger to high-pressure situations. Yet, missing out on the Paris 2024 Olympics has left him with mixed emotions.  

"It's not the best feeling in the world," he told SportsBoom.com. "But it’s the nature of sports in general. Sometimes, you have your bad moments, and other times, you are on top."  

The reason for his absence? Low ranking points. Mati explained that a lack of adequate tournament participation prevented him from amassing the points necessary for qualification.  

"It saddens me that I missed the 2024 Olympics due to my low ranking points. There weren’t enough games to participate in to boost them right," he said.  

A Fighter’s Spirit: Plans for Paris 2028  

Despite the setback, Mati remains optimistic and is already planning for the next Olympics. For the young champion, Paris is a missed opportunity, but LA 2028 is the ultimate goal.  

"My personal plan is to keep my head up, focus, and keep fighting," he shared. "By participating in more tournaments and delivering better performances, I'd definitely be at the next Olympics."  

Mati’s confidence is backed by his impressive résumé as a three-time African Youth Championship gold medalist, and he is determined to extend his success onto the global stage.  

"The System Needs to Change": Challenges for African Table Tennis

Mati also addressed the larger challenges facing African table tennis players, pointing to systemic issues that hinder development.

For him, the gap between upcoming players and stars like Quadri Aruna, arguably Africa's most talented player lies in the lack of exposure.  

"It's the system, I believe. In order to improve, the upcoming players need more international exposure," he stated.  

When asked how such exposure could be facilitated, Mati emphasized the need for government support.  

"We all know the government needs to support, most especially by providing funds to sponsor athletes and coaches," he said.  

He also suggested alternative solutions, such as private sector funding, to address cases where government support falls short.  

"It's really difficult, but I think if it’s possible to get private sector sponsorship, it could help. That’s just my opinion."

Missing Home: Why He Skipped the 2024 WTT Contender Lagos

Aside from the Olympics, Mati also missed the 2024 WTT Contender Lagos, held in Nigeria from June 19 to 23 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium. 

While the tournament was an opportunity to compete on home soil, personal reasons kept him away.  

Eyes on the Future

For Mati, the road to greatness is not without its hurdles, but his resolve is clear. With his focus set on consistent performances and the support needed to elevate African table tennis, the Le Havre star is determined to rewrite his story.  

"I’ve learned that in sports, you don’t dwell on the lows. You rise, strategize, and keep fighting," Mati concluded.  

As LA 2028 looms on the horizon, Taiwo Mati is undoubtedly a name to watch. His journey reflects not just personal ambition but also the potential of African talent on the global stage.