Sierra Leone’s table tennis sensation Naomi Coker is continuing to fly the country’s flag high at the ongoing 2026 ITTF Africa Senior Championships in Tangier, Morocco.
The 17-year-old rising star delivered a standout performance in the Women’s Singles group stage, securing an impressive 3-1 victory over Madagascar’s Hanitra Raharimanana.
The win, under the guiance of her father and coach Philip Coker, underscores Sierra Leone’s growing presence at the continental level and has earned recognition from the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).
Naomi, who is currently ranked among the top young players in West Africa, has been making steady progress on the international circuit despite limited support and infrastructure for table tennis back home. She previously represented Sierra Leone at the African Youth Championships and other ITTF-sanctioned events, where she has been tipped as one of Africa’s talents to watch.
Reflecting on her performance in Tangier, Coker said the competition has been tough but valuable:
“It’s a very good experience. It’s tough but it’s what we expected. I already knew the level was high. My ranking is pretty low, so I knew I’d have to play the top seeds first. It sort of threw me in the deep end,” she said.
The ITTF Africa Senior Championships brings together the continent’s top players from over 30 countries and serves as a qualifier for world ranking points and global championships.
Officials of the Sierra Leone Table Tennis Association say Naomi’s performance is a testament to dedicated coaching and personal discipline, and hope it will inspire more young girls to take up the sport and attract needed support for table tennis development in Sierra Leone.