ITTF President pledges support for table tennis in Africa

The President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Petra Sorling, has revealed her support for the ping pong games in Africa.

Sorling hailed the government of Kenya for staging a befitting continental cup while assuring that more support would come to Africa in the near future.

Sorling who is the first woman elected ITTF President was in Nairobi for the 2023 ITTF Africa Cup and she described the organisation coupled with the standard of play as inspiring and encouraging.

According, "I am delighted with what I have seen in this year's ITTF Africa Cup. There have been significant improvements in the organisation, and Kenya has been a great host. I want to specifically congratulate the Kenya Table Tennis Association (KTTA) under the leadership of Andrew Mudibo.

“We have seen new talents during the event, from Uganda and Madagascar, for example. This is very important for the growth of our sport, and we are looking forward to seeing more African players performing at the highest level. Africa, and its 54 member associations, are very important to the ITTF. We will continue supporting Africa through our programme and activities."

For the ITTF Vice President, Wahid Oshodi, the staging of the Africa Cup attested to the capacity of Kenya to host major international competitions, adding that the country has shown its commitment to the sport in the last five years.

He said that Durban hosting this year’s World Championships was a confirmation of the confidence ITTF has on the continent.

South Africa will be hosting the WTTC Durban at the Durban International Convention Centre between May 20 and 28, 2023. the first on the continent after 80 years.