Ofori defends D.G. Hathiramani ping-pong title
Defending champion Emmanuel Ofori, from the Eastern Region, defeated compatriot Kojo Godwin Abdul 3-2 in a thrilling final to win the boys’ division of the annual D.G. Hathiramani ping-pong championship played at the D.G. Hathiramani Sports Hall in Accra last Saturday.
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The 17-year-old table tennis ace fought from a set down to beat his fierce competitor and went home with an undisclosed cash prize, a medal and the trophy at stake.
The competition, which attracted over 100 youngsters in the discipline from Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, Central and Volta regions, also saw a form three student of Swedru
School of Business, Augustina Baidoo, thrashing Georgina Hackman from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) 3-0 in the ladies final match.
For her efforts, Miss Baidoo received an undisclosed cash reward, a medal, certificate of participation and the ladies trophy.
Dr Samuel Quaye, the trust holder of the D.G. Hathiramani Fund, and head of the organising committee, lauded the efforts of the youngsters for honing their skills and experiencing the game at this level.
Delighted about the skills displayed which he described as appealing, he expressed the hope that Ghana had much prospects in tennis.
A former national and African champion, Ethel Jacks, implored the players to be disciplined and obey the instructions of the coaches to enable them nurture their talents into fruition.
For his part, the national coach, Owusu Ansah said he was impressed about the manner that the championship was organised and the skills displayed.
He appealed to corporate bodies to sponsor the tennis stars to tour China to sharpen their skills.
The competition is a yearly tournament played in honour of the god-father of Ghana ping-pong and philanthropist D.G. Hathiramani.