Lartey, Oforiwaa Excel In Seniors Table Tennis

Felix Lartey of the Ghana Immigration Service beat a field of 115 men to win this year's Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) national seniors singles Open championship held at the D.G Hathiramani Sports Hall of the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra

Felix Lartey disposed off former champion and championship favourite Derek Abrefa 3 – 0 in the quarter and went past Ernest Quarcoo of Accra 3–1 in the semi- finals to set a date with Koforidua Secondary Technical's Samuel Akayade whom he made light work of beating him 3–1 in the epic final.

Ernest Quarcoo disposed off Adolf Awotwe of the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa 3–2 to place third, leaving Awotwe in fourth position.

In the ladies event, good old Efua Oforiwaa Owusu – Agyei of CEPS returned to the table  for the first time in about five years to beat Lynda Annor of Immigration Service 3–2 in a tensed but exciting final.

This was after she called off the bluff of Doreen Nortey and Cynthia Kwabi all via a 3–2 margin in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.

Cynthia Kwabi came third with former national women champion, Akosua Ketu of the Sunyani Polytechnic placing fourth.

For their award, both Lartey and Efua Oforiwaa took home a GH¢ 100 each and a trophy with second to fourth placed players in both categories also receiving attractive cash prizes.

In all, 140 table tennis players made up of 115 men and 25 women from across the country and the eight national security services participated in the one-day tournament.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Sports Council, Mr. Wolanyo K. Agrah, in a speech, cautioned the athletes to be disciplined and take their training sessions very serious if they want to make headway in their chosen profession.

He called on the association to organise more competitions to keep the players in shape and promised to do his best to support them during international assignments.

He commended the GTTA for its proactiveness and also promised his outfit's financial support for the GTTA's proposed national model teams weekend's training camp which is to start soon.

He again promised the recruitment of competent table tennis coaches for each region.

The GTTA chairman, Sqn. Ldr. Ebo Bartels (Rtd) who together with Mr. Samuel Kwabena Dei of Mallas Ice Company sponsored the one day championship urged the players to remain dedicated to their training in order to improve upon their play.

He promised the players more tournaments this year to help keep them in shape.

Mr. Kwame Amponfi Jnr, GTTA Secretary General, appealed to companies and philanthropist to come on board and support in cash and in kind to help promote the sport in Ghana.