The DG Hathiramani Hall of the Accra Stadium is set for the Amoah Table Tennis National Youth Championship scheduled for this Saturday, DAILY GUIDE SPORTS understands.
The one-day event, designed for children aged between 10 and 15, is to provide a platform for the close to 300 expected participants from the four corners of the country.
Table tennis ambassador, Eric Amoah, a former national star currently based in the UK, is the brain behind the competition which has incorporated a clinic session to equip younger players with basic table tennis techniques under the tutelage of national team coaches.
Amoah, founder of the Eric Amoah Foundation, a non-profit organisation, is currently in the country for the championship and has said in an interview that the dwindling fortunes of the sport stirred him to put the programme together.
He indicated that he benefited from similar exercises during his formative years, hence his decision to give the younger generation same opportunity to rise to stardom like himself.
‘I am doing this to give back to society what I benefited from some few years ago. Such competitions gave me so many opportunities as a school and college champion and later national champion.
‘That gave me the opportunity to represent the country in competitions such as African championships, All African Games and Commonwealth Games over 11 years.
‘Table tennis enabled me to join the British Army which I represent in competitions in the UK, Europe and the North America Open Champion in America,’ Amoah added.
At stake for players who will excel in the competition supported by Seven Great Princess Academy, Alordia Promotions, West Coast Enterprise and Everpack, branded table tennis bats, certificates and trophies.
Amoah has participated in several international competitions such as the African championship in Nairobi in 96′, World Championships in Manchester, UK, Holland and France, All African Games bronze medalist, 2003, Commonwealth Games participant , Australia, 2006, among others.
The 2011 Royal Best Sports Personality Award winner has been in the British Army since 2008, and featured in many military publications including the April 2009 edition of the SOLDIER.
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum