By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | voltaonlinegh.com |

Vilcabamba’s male Table Tennis team lost all 2 matches over the weekend at the ongoing Stanbic Bank National Table Tennis League, week 7 in Accra.

The team that started the league well out of 18 clubs still find themselves in the lower middle of the table, 11th with 24 points after losing 3 straight each to Immigration and King’s Royal Academy at the Sports Hall of the Accra Sports Stadium.

In the first match against Immigration, Emmanuel Asante saw off Frank Sedewonu 3-1 (8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7) in the first single before Emmanuel Commey defeated David Senyo in 3 straight sets, 11-3, 11-6, 11-8. The doubles which included award winning Table Tennis player, Derrick Abrefa pairing with Emmanuel Commey saw Immigration go on another 3-1 (11-13, 11-4, 11-6, 11-8) victory against David Senyo and Bright Dzotsiafe.

Immigration who went on to defeat Ghana Army 3-2 maintain their position on top of the league table with 42 points, 2 more than 2nd place Otumfour Stars.

The male second match against King’s Royal Academy which saw Vilcabamba play home had Senyo start with a 3 straight set loss to Adolf Awotwe with a 4-11, 5-11, 8-11 results. Bright Dzotsiafe continued with a 3-1 (5-11, 7-11, 11-8, 4-11) loss to Joseph Osei after which Frank Sedewonu and Bright Dzotsiafe fought hard for a win but eventually lost out on a 2-3 thriller (8-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11).

According to the Head Coach, David Senyo Ahiaba, the inability of the team to get all top players is a factor in their recent losses.

“One major reason why the male team is struggling to meet the team’s target is the inability to get all the best 3 players coming together to play as a team. The second and third seeds were absent this weekend and that affected us greatly.”

He was however grateful to the efforts of the ladies as they moved closer to achieving the top 3 target with a win on Saturday.

The ladies climbed back to their 4th position with 15 points thanks to a 3 straight sets win against Madina Stars. They are however, tied on points with Ghana Revenue Authority who are now 5th after losing 3-0 to joint table toppers, Immigration (21).

Third seed Malwine Akator started off with an 11-1, 11-7, 11-4 win against Agnes Coleman while Matilda Fodu endured a 3-2 victory against Emmanuella Yaa with 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5 results.

First seed Millicent Ankude and 2nd seed Matilda finished off the job with an 11-3, 11-5, 11-3 results over Emmanuella and Ahin.

Mr Ahiaba believed the availability of the top 3 players for the ladies was pushing them closer to achieving a top 4 target, with less possibility of a top 3 target earlier set.

“I appreciate the effort of VTTC, especially the ladies, considering the conditions under which we travel every week to go and participate in the league. The ladies are able to rise because sometimes we get all best 3 players competing. This weekend is an example and the result is evident. My target was for us to be in the top 3 but I think the possibility of making top 4 is higher. Getting sponsors outside VTTC will do us a lot of good more especially as we are approaching the end of the league.”

With few matches to go for both categories, all teams might want to toughen up their performance to be able to be placed at a respectable position on the league table.

Vilcabamba male team must then fight for a position in the mid table as the action continues at the Sports Hall next week Saturday.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com