Ghana’s number one table tennis player and 2025 Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Table Tennis Player of the Year, James Marfo, is set to begin his professional career in France, where he will combine a one-year training programme at the Hennebont Table Tennis Centre with participation in the French league.
The opportunity marks an important milestone in Marfo’s development, offering him the chance to sharpen his technical abilities, gain valuable international exposure and compete in a demanding environment as he seeks to raise his game to the next level.
As he prepares for the transition, key figures in Ghanaian table tennis have congratulated Marfo on the opportunity, while urging him to remain disciplined, humble and focused on making the most of the investment in his future.
Chairman of the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Mawuko Afadzinu, has encouraged the player to view the opportunity as a stepping stone to even greater possibilities, stressing the importance of hard work, humility and commitment to his long-term ambitions.
These were the inspiring words of Afadzinu during a visit by a delegation from the KIDSFORKIDS FOUNDATION. The delegation, which included Ishmael Abraham Armah, John Baiden and James Marfo, visited the Chairman following the opportunity for James to travel to France for professional table tennis training. The visit also provided James with an opportunity to personally express his appreciation to Afadzinu for his support, encouragement and contribution to his development.
“Let this opportunity awaken you to greater possibilities. Always remember where you are coming from and let that be a source of inspiration as you pursue your purpose,” Afadzinu advised.
He further urged Marfo to remain focused on his goals, noting that strong performances and continued development would open doors to opportunities with clubs in other established European table tennis leagues, including Portugal and Germany.
Afadzinu also reminded the player of the significant investment behind the opportunity, encouraging him to ensure that the resources committed to his development produce meaningful results.
“This is indeed a blessed opportunity, and it has come with significant investment. Let every penny count,” he added.
For Michael Danquah, Marfo’s manager, the impending move represents the culmination of years of commitment, sacrifice and belief in the player’s potential. Reflecting on their journey, Danquah expressed pride in Marfo’s progress while acknowledging the contributions of the coaches, institutions and individuals who have supported his development.
He was particularly appreciative of Blackstone, Marfo’s first coach in Ghana, and his personal coach, Ebenezer Whyte, for laying the foundations and providing the technical guidance that have helped shape the player.
Danquah also recognised the role of the GTTA, under Afadzinu’s leadership, and the Ghana Immigration Service Table Tennis Team, which Marfo represents, in providing support and a platform for his continued growth.
He further acknowledged the contribution of Coach Aileru Ganiyu Fola and Ude Sports Limited to Marfo’s recent training experience in Nigeria, as well as the support of the company’s chairman, Ude Uche Dominic.
For Danquah, the move to France is both a personal milestone and a testament to what sustained investment in talent can achieve.
“As his manager, I have devoted considerable time, energy and resources to this journey because I have always believed in what James could become,” he said, adding that the opportunity was significant for Marfo, the Foundation and Ghanaian table tennis.
He urged the player to remain grounded and committed to continuous improvement, reminding him that the opportunity represented the beginning of another phase of hard work rather than the end of his journey.
“This is not the destination. Remain humble, stay disciplined, keep learning and work harder than ever. Make every opportunity and every investment in you count,” Danquah advised.
GTTA Technical Director Charles Tachie-Menson also welcomed the development, describing Marfo’s opportunity to train and play professionally in France as a positive step for both the player and the sport in Ghana.
Tachie-Menson commended Danquah for his vision and commitment to the player’s development, describing his efforts as an example of how individuals can help create pathways for talented athletes to progress.
He also acknowledged the contribution of the GTTA under Afadzinu’s leadership, while calling on other individuals and organisations with the capacity to support young athletes to emulate such initiatives.
Ghana, he noted, possesses considerable sporting talent that requires the right combination of vision, commitment and investment to reach its full potential.
“Our beloved country, Ghana, is blessed with an abundance of sporting talent waiting to be discovered, developed, and given the opportunity to shine,” Tachie-Menson said, expressing hope that Marfo’s journey would inspire greater investment in the development of young table tennis players.
As Marfo prepares to begin his French training experience under Petit, the message from Ghana’s table tennis leadership and those closest to his development remains clear: the opportunity must be matched by discipline, dedication and a determination to improve.
With a year of training and league competition ahead of him in France, Marfo will have an important platform to develop his game, broaden his experience and pursue greater opportunities on the international stage.
For Ghanaian table tennis, his journey also serves as a reminder of the possibilities that can emerge when talent is supported by committed coaches, managers, institutions and administrators.
The challenge now rests with Marfo to make the most of this opportunity, continue his upward progression and make a strong impression on the international stage, inspiring other young Ghanaian players to pursue their own ambitions.
