BY: Lambert Coffie | voltaonlinegh.com.com|
It was an unprecedented event at the Mawuli School Assembly Hall in Ho on Thursday, September 21, 2023, where over 150 table tennis enthusiasts from across Ghana gathered for the inaugural Asogli Table Tennis Challenge.
The ground-breaking tournament, organised by the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) with Support from Stanbic Bank, formed part of the activities towards the celebration of the 2023 Asogli Te Za (Yam festival) and 20th anniversary of the enstoolment of Togbe Afede XIV as Agbogbomefia of Asogli state.
The competition, which was also part of preparations for the upcoming 2023 Africa Games, scheduled for the following year, witnessed thrilling displays of skill, determination, and focus as players showcased their prowess in backhand, forehand, serves, and other essential table tennis techniques.
Notable names like Blessing Labanti, Borteye Joanita, and Isreal Akli, along with emerging talents, competed in both the male and female categories, vying for prizes and the chance to improve their rankings.
Following the intense competition, the top 16 performers were rewarded for their outstanding performances. Ghana’s top seed, Felix Lartey, emerged victorious in the male category, securing a substantial prize of GHC2,500 and 150 ranking points after a 3-0 victory against Isaac Davis in the finals. Lartey dedicated his win to his 12-year-old son, Samuel Lartey, and expressed his commitment to representing Ghana at the 2023 African Games and beyond. Isaac Davis and Celia Baah, the runners-up, received GHC1,500 each along with 120 ranking points.
Other participants in the 3rd to 4th positions earned 100 ranking points and GHC800 each, while those in the 5th to 8th and 9th to 16th places were awarded 60 and 40 ranking points, respectively, along with cash prizes ranging from GHC400 to GHC250.
Mr. Mawuko Afadzinu, President of GTTA, expressed gratitude to various stakeholders, including Togbe Afede XIV, the Volta Regional Minister, and programme sponsors. He emphasised that the Asogli Table Tennis Challenge was designed to showcase the best of table tennis in Ghana and announced that the championship would become an annual event during the Asogli Yam Festival.
Mr. Afadzinu also highlighted the event’s success in generating enthusiasm for table tennis in the region and nurturing talent while teaching the game. As part of the legacy project stemming from hosting the sport at Mawuli School, GTTA left behind the led lights used during the tournament as support to the school.
Mr. Kojo Larbi, Manager of Reputation and Stakeholder Management at Stanbic Bank, underscored the importance of sports in promoting community growth and development, both physically and emotionally. Stanbic Bank had been supporting and promoting table tennis in collaboration with GTTA.
On his part, Mr. Tom Kuenyefu, Volta Regional Chairman of GTTA, expressed his excitement about the championship’s potential to foster the development of quality athletes. He highlighted plans to coach young athletes between the ages of 8 and 10 and establish table tennis clubs throughout the region.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com