By Rihana Adam, GNA
Accra, June 2, GNA – James Marfo, Joanita Borteye and Micheal Mensah Agyapong emerged champions in their respective categories at the third edition of the Damba Table Tennis Championship, which ended in grand style.
The championship, held on May 30 in Tamale, brought together some of Ghana’s finest junior and senior table tennis players from across the country in a highly competitive tournament aimed at promoting the development of the sport.
The event was supervised by Competition Manager William Asare-Berekorang and Referee David Senyo Ahiaba, and was attended by Mawuko Afadzinu, President of the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) and Executive Vice President (Marketing) of International Table Tennis Federation Africa.
In the Under-19 Girls category, Joanita Borteye of Greater Accra displayed outstanding form to clinch the title after defeating Lovelyn Akua Agyemang Ofori of Ashanti in the final.
Naomi Yeboah of Bono and Joy Esi Abaidoo of Ashanti finished in joint third place after impressive performances throughout the competition.
The Under-19 Boys title went to Micheal Mensah Agyapong of Ashanti, who dominated the division with a series of commanding displays while Richard Ofori of Greater Accra settled for the silver medal, while Hamza Issah and Frederick Mensah finished in joint third place.
Borteye extended her dominance into the senior ranks by capturing the Women’s Singles title.
She defeated Cynthia Kwabi in the final, while Judith Acheampong and Augustina Baidoo secured joint third positions.
In the Men’s Singles category, James Marfo became champion after overcoming a strong field of competitors.
Ali Mohammed finished as first runner-up, while Emmanuel Commey and Micheal Yeboah shared the bronze positions after reaching the semi-finals.
The championship also honoured outstanding performers with special awards J.J. Abaidoo received the Discovery Player Award, Frederick Mensah was named Promising Player, while Ali Mohammed won the Most Exciting Player Award.
Joanita Borteye was adjudged the Most Disciplined Player, with Micheal Mensah Agyapong receiving the Fair Player Award.
Participants and officials lauded the high standard of organisation, hospitality, quality playing conditions and professionalism exhibited throughout the event, describing it as a major contribution to the development of table tennis in Northern Ghana.
The championship was organised by Table Tennis Hawks-Tamale with support from a planning committee comprising Amos Tham-Mbiah, Osmond Amuah, Prof. Damien Tom-Dery, Reginald Addo Ankamah, Mark Brew, Philip Kojo Hinson, Ebenezer Nii Odotei Okpoti and Joseph Kofi Yeboah.
With participants drawn from Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern, Central, Bono, Volta, Northern and other regions, the championship once again reinforced its status as one of Ghana’s leading grassroots table tennis competitions.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade