About 123 players have registered to partake in the upcoming National table tennis championship dubbed “Asawa National Open Championship” on Saturday, 19th June, 2021 at the Apenteng hall in Koforidua.
The event which is being organized by former National champion and Ghana’s only Olympian Isaac Opoku ‘Asawa’ and the New Juaben Table Tennis Club would serve as a platform to unearth talents within players.
Speaking at a short press briefing on Tuesday, 15th June, 2021 in Koforidua, the Public Relations Officer of the New Juaben Table Tennis Club, Mr. Emmanuel Obiri Mintah, disclosed that proper modalities have been put in place to ensure a successful event.
“We have lined up things that would ensure we host a successful tournament. We have also acquired quality D40 balls. The GTTA has also given us Stat International and Butterfly tables including other materials for the event.
“We have experienced and qualified ITTF umpires who will be officiating the games as well,” he said.
The Chairman of the club, Mr. Felix Sowah Adjetey in his remarks stated that high personalities will be in attendance to grace the occasion.
“This is an all important event and we have received and sent out invitations to some highly ranked personnel’s in the country. We have the Member of Parliament for the New Juaben South Hon. Micheal Okyere Baafi, The president of the Ghana Table Tennis Association, Mr. Mawuko Afadzinu, The Mayor of Eastern Region, The MCE including others will be here on Saturday to witness the games,” he stated.
On his part, the former National champion and Ghana’s only Olympian Isaac Opoku ‘Asawa’ expressed his gratitude to the table tennis fraternity for the unflinching support.
“I want to thank you all for the support and love. I wouldn’t have been here without table tennis. I would like to thank the executives of the New Juaben Table Tennis Club, the Ghana Table Tennis Association and every one who is supporting this event.
“I want to assure you all here that, this is the first of it kind and it is here to stay. We are doing this because of the love, so we will keep doing it to lift table tennis to the top,” Ghana’s only Olympian Isaac Opoku ‘Asawa’ said.
The event will see players participating in the seniors men, seniors women and juniors categories respectively.
The 1st to 4th placed winners in the men category will walk home with 300, 200, 150 and 100 (Dollar Equivalent) respectively.
In the women’s division, a total cash prize of 500 Dollars has been set with the 1st to 4th winners taking 200, 150, 100 and 50 respectively.
The 1st to 4th winners in the juniors category will also be awarded with cash prizes of 250, 200, 150 and 100 (Cedi Equivalent) respectively.
Trophies including others will also be up for grab.
The organizers also hinted that all the covid-19 safety protocols have been put in place to ensure a successful event.
By Nicholas Akussah
