World Juniors Table Tennis Championship underway in Accra

The World Juniors Table Tennis Championship is underway after a rich cultural display to mark the start of the tournament was performed at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

Sixty-eight players from eleven countries across the globe have converged in Accra to compete for honours in the five-day tournament.

The opening ceremony which was graced by the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Professor Peter Twumasi, The Nigerian High Commission to Ghana, The President of the Ghana Table Tennis Federation and other dignitaries was witnessed by an appreciable number of supporters.

Delivering a speech on behalf of the Minister of the Youth and Sports, the Director-General of the NSA, Peter Twumasi wished all the participating team the best of luck and encouraged them to give out their best for their respective countries.

He opined that the government accepted the challenge to host the tournament because of its acknowledgement of sports as a tool for development.

He commended the members of the Local Organizing Committee for putting together a great opening ceremony and called on Team Ghana to do the country proud.

“The involvement of the government of Ghana in sports development is influenced by the widespread belief that sports can contribute to a range of social benefits such as, promotion of health, crime reduction, social and national integration as well as understanding and peaceful coexistence”.

“Therefore we do not see sports as a luxury anymore but an important investment in the present and the future. That’s why I want to re-echo the Olympic spirit which states that it is not only the winning that matters but the participation. Remember that by performing your best, you are contributing to the growth of society through the display of your talent”, he said.

The beautiful cultural display was however clouded by the poor display by Team Ghana in the opening games of tournament.

Saudi Arabia defeated Ghana in the opening three matches of the tournament. Danso lost 3-1 to his Arabian counterpart in the first under-15 match of the day before Osie was handed a 3-0 match loss by his Arabian counterpart.

In the doubles category, Ghana was once again on the losing side with Saudi easing their way through with a 3-1 scoreline. The final of the competition is scheduled for Friday, April 5 2019.