by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Many journalists visited during the last part of the schedule to conduct interviews and take photographs.

All reports were most praiseworthy of the efforts made; each day lasting seven hours, as all concerned endeavoured to increase their knowledge.

Matters ended with a host of dignitaries attending the Closing Ceremony.

Present was Dr. Patrick Coker (President of the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone), alongside Joseph Nyande (National Olympic Committee Secretary-General), Ibraim Bangura (Director of Sport) and Gamal Abduallah (Consul of Egypt in Sierra Leone.

Also present was Ibrahim Abussaa (Libya’s ambassador to Sierra Leone) and Lakish Alie (President of the Sierra Leone Table Tennis Federation).

“I would like to thank all the coaches who have contributed to the success of course, Mr. Joseph, Mr. Charles, Mr. Suliaman, Mr. Mensah and overall coach Mr. John Bobsn; as well as the players and their parents for the great co-operation. Also, I thank Mr. Emmanuel Lebbie, Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Table Tennis Federation and Mr. Mohamed Alie Kamara, Chief Financial Officer, who also organised transport and meals for players and officials. Also my thanks to my dear friend, Lakish Alie, for his outstanding co-operation and generous hospitality, all problems were solved immediately; he was serious in decision making. I wish him and his family the best.” Mohamed Gharib

Dr. Patrick Coker confirmed full support for table tennis projects in Sierra Leone, whilst Gamal Abduallah advised that he would contact the Egyptian Ministry of Sports with the proposal that four players from Sierra Leone attend a training camp in Egypt prior to the African Championships in Tunisia.

Equally, the Chinese Embassy has advised that in conjunction with the Chinese Table Tennis Association they will organise for a Chinese coach to visit Sierra Leone and will provide equipment assistance.