by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF Africa Press Officer
Among the Ghanaian players that featured in the West African Hopes Week and Challenge were Gado Ibrahim Nuhu, Gabriel Mbasu and Emmanuella Yaa Kyere; Nathaniel Kwesi Somuah, the media officer of Ghana Table Tennis Association advises that these young players are more than eager to wear the national team shirt with pride during the first week of April.
Gado Ibrahim Nuhu and Emmanuella Yaa Kyere play in the Ghana National League and have been named the most promising players of the year on two occasions, this tournament will serve a stepping stone to begin the quest to emulate the legends like SegunToriola and Ethel Jacks.
“I can’t wait for this tournament to start. Any time my coach is training me and I get tired, she tells me no pain no gain. I train every day of the week. On school days I train from 4.00 pm to 6.00pm. On Saturdays I train from 6.00 am to 10.00 am and continue again from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm. After church on Sunday, I go back to training. Sometimes I feel so tired but I tell myself I can make it. In all this, my mum has been very supportive. She saw me on television being interviewed and she was in tears.” Emmanuella Yaa Kyere
Furthermore, Emmanuella Yaa Kyere has no lack of determination and it would seem that she has acquired the name of her idol.
“I want to be a top class player like Ding Ning. All my friends at my club, Asoba Foundation, call me Ding Ning because of how I serve. She is focused and has won many awards and so she motivates me. It is my dream to meet Ding Ning one day. I want to play against her in future,” Emmanuella Yaa Kyere
Also, the coaches are busy preparing the players at their various training centres across Ghana, one of the most prominent being Dora Song.
“My players are doing well at training. They are eager to play for their country. We play a lot of matches to test our skills and stamina. I know they will be well prepared when the tournament is due.” Dora Sarpong.
Eager anticipation; it is the same from Derek Abrefa, the country’s leading player who recently celebrated his 27th birthday. He is delighted for the youngsters.
“I participated in two African Junior Championships in Egypt some years ago and this upcoming tournament brings me fond memories. I feel very happy to have my own nation hosting such a big event. I see it as a step forward for table tennis in Ghana and I must commend the leadership of the association, especially the president, Mawuko Afadzinu, for his hard work and efforts to lift the image of the sports in Ghana. Under his tenure, Ghana has achieved a lot. I encourage the young ones to train hard and aim at being the best at the end of the competition. I believe Ghana has talents and can dominate in the end. I am ready to advise the young ones and I encourage all the top players in Ghana to also do same.” Derek Abrefa
Advice from Derek Abrefa and one day will the very young players who are making their first step in international waters eventually become his successor? The number player in Ghana
