The national Table Tennis team, the Black Loopers begin their quest for medals at the 13th African Games on home soil with matches in the men and women’s singles events.
With the draw for the competition concluded and players certain of their opponents, the players are poised to make an impression. The quest to win Ghana’s first gold medal in the singles events starts on Monday March 4, 2024 at the Accra International Conference Centre.
In the women’s singles category, a total of 62 players will battle it out for honours.
Celia Baah-Danso faces Nasimuyu Lisa of Kenya while Bernice Borley Borquaye will lock horns with Loretha Davis of Liberia. Promising star Juanita Borteye will have a fierce encounter with Mariam Alhodaby of Egypt. Eva Adom-Amankwaa will battle it out with Isabel Albino of Angola while Cynthia Kwabi will play Sifa Nafula of Kenya.
The men’s singles category will feature 84 men from 18 difference countries.
Ghana’s Samuel Akayade will play Mutasim El Idris of Sudan. Bernard Joe Sam draws a bye in the round of 128 but will face stiff competition from Mohammed Shouman of Egypt in the round of 64. Emmanuel Commey will play Joseph Sebatindira of Uganda while Ernest Mawutor Quarcoo will play Bogton Pyee of Liberia.
In the clash of the titans encounter, Ghana’s 11 year old prodigy Israel Aklie will battle it out against Nigeria’s whiz kid Mathew Kuti who is 12 years. Undoubtedly, both will spearhead the next generation of rising stars for both Ghana and Nigeria.
Play commences at 9am at the Accra International Conference Centre.
By Nathaniel Kwesi Somuah, Ghana Table Tennis Association
