Abrefa wins Hathiramani Memorial Tennis

Accra, Nov. 11, GNA - Derrick Abrefa of Ghana Immigration Service defeated Raymond Donkor of the Ghana Police Service 3-2 in the finals, to win this year's D.G.Hathiramani Memorial Table Tennis Open Championship played at the Borstal Institute Sports Hall in Accra on Saturday.

The game which started on a fast note saw the champion putting up pressure on his opponent with swift and dangerous serves. It came as no surprise when he won the first game 13-11 and followed it up with another 13-11 and 11-9 wins while Donkor won two games 11-8 and 11-9.

On their way to the finals, Donkor edged out Tweneboah Kodua 3-2 while Abrefa eliminated Felix Lartey 3-1.

In the Ladies Division, Akosua Ketu from the Central Region emerged champion by beating Bernice Borquaye of the Greater Accra Region 3-0.

Dr S.A. Quaye, a Trustee of the late D.G. Hathiramani presented the magnificent trophies to the winners. Mr E.A. Quaye, a retired Table Tennis Coach of the National Sports Council described the late Hathiramani as a sports enthusiast whose contributions has helped to develop the sport to its current standards. The retired coach who is the first student of the Hahthiramani Tennis Academy who won the African Tennis Championship held in Egypt and Nigeria in 1962 and 1968, called on the participants to take their training seriously so as to win laurels for themselves and the nation.

Mr Hathiramani, affectionately called 'The Table Tennis Servant' because of his exploits, died in 1988. 11 Nov. 06