Heads to roll as Ghana wane in Tennis Championship

Accra, April 5, GNA- The technical bench of Ghana's Table Tennis team, the "Golden Loopers" led by Coach Vincent Arhin stands accused as host Ghana waned at the just ended 13th African Junior Table Tennis Championship where they managed to claim only three medals at the Sports Hall of the Accra Sports Stadium.

Coach Arhin and his team have come under intense fire following the disqualification of the U-18 group from the competition for fielding an over aged player and the team's lacklustre performance in the tournament. Information gathered by GNA Sports sources confirmed that the blame which is been put at the door steps of coach Arhin, saw Mr Enoch Jerry Kanfra, the Acting Chief Sports Development Officers of the National Sports Council (NSC) summoning the coach to a meeting to answer queries levelled against him in two separate memos.


The memos signed by Mr Kanfra on Friday and chanced upon by the GNA Sports tasked Coach Arhin to explain to the Planning and Technical Committees the circumstances that led to the disqualification and in addition present the mode of selection of players for the championship whilst the competition was underway.


The memos expressed the Committees unwillingness to accept excuses on many more issues and gave the coach an ultimatum but it has been confirmed that the coach is yet to respond to the queries at the time of filing the report.


The gathered information explained that the memos were influenced by the Committee's belief that the U-18 team, which was expected to be the medal hope of the squad, was disqualified as a result of negligence on the part of the coach and his team.

Coach Arhin is said to have failed to check the passport of Solomon Akunor with regards to his age, which saw the international organizers of the tourney declaring him over-aged at a time he was leading his opponent 2-0 in a match.


The coach has also been accused of technical bankruptcy from various quarters, citing his inability to read game patterns and give the necessary directions, which many believe could have taken the team far. The GNA can confirm that the coach may receive another query as just a matter of course as some "decision makers" further accused him of favouritism in the selection of the team which they insist caused the down fall of the team.


Squadron Leader Ebo Bartels, Chairman of the GTTA will not be drawn to the whole blame game, but the visibly unhappy Chairman said the performance of the coach will be reviewed adding that 'the necessary decision will be taken in due time."