GTTA scribe excels in Greece

One of Ghana's youngest sports administrators, Mr. Kwame Amponfi Jnr, continues to market Ghana excellently abroad, as his impressive performance at the 49th International Session for Young Participants at the International Olympic Academy, Greece, has attracted commendation from his lecturers to the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).

It would be recalled that after an excellent display of versatility in his job, as Principal Sports Development Officer at the National Sports Council, and Secretary General to the Ghana Table Tennis Association, Mr. Amponfi, in 2008, won the hearts of his African compatriots, leading to his election as the Vice President of the African Table Tennis Federation Zone III, for a four-year term.

Barely a year later, due to his continued local and international sports administrative exploits, the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) nominated Mr. Amponfi Jnr, alongside Ms. Christina Ashley, to represent Ghana at the International Olympic Academy in Greece, from 10th to 24th June, 2009.

In a strong commendation letter to the GOC, dated July 5, 2009, a representative of Mr. Amponfi's lecturers at the International Olympic Academy (IOA), Prof. Susan Brownell, stated “I write to commend the excellent performance of Mr. Kwame Amponfi Jnr. at the 49th Young Participants Session of the International Olympic Academy (IOA).......... In his discussion group, he displayed excellent skills in persuasion and argument in English.

“..........Mr. Amponfi was one of the leaders in the initiative called “Olympism for All Africa”, an attempt to mobilise present and past participants at the International Olympic Academy to work to promote Olympic education in Africa .......... Mr. Amponfi's presentation about Olympic Education in Ghana was also very well done. Mr. Amponfi represented Ghana well, and I am sure he will continue to make great contributions towards the development of sports in Ghana, and Olympism in Africa ..........”

Colleague African delegates to the 49th Session, including Ms Christina Ashley, confirmed the IOA lecturer's commendation of Mr. Amponfi.

They indicate that Mr. Amponfi's performance was exceptional and worth commending.

According to the delegates, Mr. Amponfi's performance at the 49th IOA Session would continue to remain a great challenge to future young participants.

The Sq Leader Ebo Bartels (rtd), Chairman of the Ghana Table Tennis Association, on behalf of the Association, expressed its gratitude to the GOC and IOA, and noted that true to its promise, Mr. Amponfi Jnr. did not let Ghana down at the International Olympic Academy, but instead made all Ghanaians proud.

Mr. Amponfi and his colleague participants to the 49th Session in Greece have since returned home.