The President of the African Table Tennis Federation, Mr. Khaled El-Salhy has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Isaac Kwame Asiamah to discuss the development and future of the sport in the country.

He said Ghana is a powerhouse in African table tennis and it is essential to bring the country back on track with respect to the sport through hosting the WJC and AJCC competitions.

Mr. El-Salhy briefed the Sports Minister on the upcoming World Junior Circuit (WJC) and African Junior and Cadet Championship (AJCC) which is slated for April 1-13, later this year and to be staged at the Bukom Boxing Arena since the country last hosted the AJCC in 2004.

He further explained that the WJC is one of the ITTF Junior Circuits, where players accrue points to qualify for the World finals later this year whiles the AJCC is Africa’s qualifier for the World Junior Championship and also to select an African team for the World Cadet Challenge.

Again, the President announced that the competition was a global one as it will attract players from Africa, Asia and other European countries. He disclosed that his outfit is importing some equipment and logistics for the competition, after which Ghana will take ownership of them.

Mr. El-Salhy subsequently thanked the Minister for his unflinching support for the Ghana Table Tennis Federation and the assistance meted out and urged it continuation. He called for support and partnership of Government for a successful competition in April.

Hon. Isaac Kwame Asiamah in his remarks thanked the delegation for choosing Ghana to host the WJC and AJCC competitions.

He noted that the beckoning event will help nurture and develop talents to propel our laurel-winning chances for the 2023 African Games to be staged in Ghana.

He took the opportunity to applaud the President of the Ghana Table Tennis Federation (GTTF), Mr. Mawuko Afadzinu for exhibiting tremendous leadership skills and ensuring the sport gains massive recognition and grounds in the country.

The Minister further charged him to develop the sport at the grassroots and schools level to unearth more talents for the discipline as it remains one of the priorities of Sports Ministry.

Hon. Isaac Kwame Asiamah assured the delegation of Ghana’s readiness to host an eventful competition adding that all arrangements will be put in place to ensure its fruition. He thanked the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) for the equipments and logistics which he believes will go a long way to help with the developmental process of talents in table tennis.

Present at the meeting were the Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Curtis Perry Okudzeto, Chief Director, Mr. Frank Quist, Technical Advisor, Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, Communications Consultant, Mr. Ahmed Osumanu Halid, Chief Accountant, Mr. Emmanuel Oteng, Vice President of the African Table Tennis Federation of the Western African Region, Mr. Wahid Enitan Oshodi, International Table Tennis Federation Media Officer Mr. Olalekan Okusan, Media Officer Ghana Table Tennis Federation (GTTF), Mr. Nathaniel Kwesi Somuah and Treasurer  GTTF, Mr. William Asare.
President Of The African Table Tennis Federation Calls On The Minister For Youth And Sports.