Ghana’s Ransford Antwi produced an impressive performance to finish fourth at the 2026 ITTF-Africa Hopes Week and Challenge, which ended in Accra.
Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira and Egypt’s Zeina Ayma Mohammed emerged champions in the boys’ and girls’ categories, respectively.
Sebatindira defeated Nigeria’s Ayoola Umar Olawale to claim the boys’ title, while Egypt’s Adam Lasheen Aly placed third.
In the girls’ event, Zeina Ayma Mohammed of Egypt won the title ahead of Uganda’s Patience Anyango, while Tunisia’s Ritej Cherif placed third and Nigeria’s Elizabeth Emilike finished fourth.
The six-day competition attracted 33 players, comprising 17 boys and 16 girls from 12 African countries, providing an opportunity for the continent’s most promising U-12 players to develop their skills under the guidance of international experts.
Mr Mawuko Afadzinu, President of the Ghana Table Tennis Federation, expressed satisfaction with the successful organisation of the tournament and the positive feedback received from participants and officials.
He said, “Thank you so much for making this year’s Africa Hopes such a tremendous success. The energy in the room was good, and the children have had a wonderful experience.”
He said the competition had once again demonstrated the abundance of talent across Africa and highlighted Ghana’s potential to produce future champions.
“We are excited about the feedback we received. It speaks to the promise that Africa has talent all over the continent, and we are pleased that 12 countries participated.”
“We are also excited that Ghana had the opportunity to field many young players and expose them to this level of competition. We are particularly delighted that one of our players made the podium.”
Mr Afadzinu said the technical assessment from the programme showed that Ghana possessed immense talent but needed to strengthen discipline and structured player development.
He said, “The feedback showed that there is a lot of talent in Ghana. What we need is structure and discipline because many of the children are used to free-styling. The organisation and discipline required to perform at the highest level are qualities they must develop.”
He said the Federation would work to instil those values throughout the country’s table tennis clubs and development structures.
“We will ensure that these principles are carried through all levels of our clubs so that our young athletes understand that if they want to become professionals and succeed at the highest level, they must embrace discipline, structure and hard work,” he said.
Mr Afadzinu expressed confidence in the future of the sport, saying the performances witnessed during the competition demonstrated that both Ghana and Africa had a bright future in table tennis.
The ITTF-Africa Hopes Week and Challenge forms part of the International Table Tennis Federation’s long-term talent identification programme aimed at discovering and nurturing Africa’s next generation of elite table tennis players.
GNA
