National table tennis player calls for training tour

Accra, Jan 29, GNA – Eric Amoah, a key member of the national table tennis team, the Golden Loopers has called on the authorities to organize a training tour for the team as they prepare for the All Africa Games, scheduled for July, in Algiers, Algeria this year.
       He said the tour, if organized well will prepare the team adequately for the competition to ensure an excellent performance from the team, since the competition will attract all the continent's greats in the sport.
      Speaking with the GNA Sports from the United Kingdom, Amoah said even though the nation is confronted with financial problems, the team cannot go into the competition without participating in any competitive event to sharpen their skills.
      He said that countries like South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria among other great nations in the sport see Ghana as their target at the All Africa Games, thereby putting the nation's quest for medals at the competition under a great threat.
       "This means that we have to work extra harder if we have to live up to this challenge and one of the best ways to do this apart from our personal training is to engage in more competitions ahead of the games."
       He added that "qualification to the Olympic Games will also depend on our performance in Algeria, hence the need to work harder."
       Amoah recalled when together with Eric Hammond, captain of the Loopers, in 2003 sponsored themselves for the World Championship in France before the All Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria their personal efforts led to the team's excellent performance in the competition.
       The player, currently ranked 231 by ITTF and now playing for EBS Orange Westfield Club in England, expressed the hope that the team will live up to expectation if they are given the necessary support.
      Amoah has also proposed to the handlers to consider inviting Cyprian Asamoah, a Ghanaian born in Sweden to join the national team.
     According to Amoah, Asamoah is a good player and ranked highly by the International Table Tennis Association (ITTA) who therefore deserves a place in the national team.
     Amoah said he has seen the player in series of international events and believes he can help advance the course of the nation in international events.
29 Jan. 07