Tennis News of Thursday, 25 August 2016

Source: Sammy Heywood Okine

I want to be Africa Table Tennis Champion - Abrefa

Derek Abrefa Derek Abrefa

Ghana’s top Table Tennis Player Derek Abrefa who was named Best Player in the 2016 Stanbic Bank Table Tennis League says his target in life is to be a continental champion.

“I want to be African Champion. When I was growing up, I heard Ghana was great Table Tennis nation and we had star players like Ethel Jacks and others who were terrors in Africa. I want to be like them” he told Yours Truly at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The captain of the Ghana Immigration Service Team who retained his unbeaten title they won last year said he wants to go purely international and play in tournaments around the world.

“I want to enhance my God given talent and become a real star. I know that I am a champion in Ghana, but I want to move higher and become better” he added.

He acknowledged that there are good players in Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco and Tunisia, but strongly noted that he is a Ghanaian and most African people fear Ghana, yet Ghanaians do not take the advantage.

He gave examples of Ghana's boxers and footballers who rule the continent. "I also want to rule" he expressed.

Abrefa was also optimistic of winning this year’s SWAG Best Table Tennis Award following his performance as the best in the country hinted that the game like all games cam make him popular and even an ambassador.

He said the Ping Pong game is interesting and called on institutions to sponsor more tournaments for the players.

He commended the team that represented Ghana at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and hoped that they perform better next time. He hoped to represent Africa next time at the 2020 Olympics in Japan.

He expressed gratitude to Mawuko Afadzinu, president of the Ghana Table Tennis Federation (GTTF), coaches Owusu Ansah and Eben Whyte and his employers, Ghana Immigration Service and play mates.

Abrefa also mention specially Mr. Charles Richard Techie Menson, his manager, Maudren Owusu Amankwah, Asky Airlines, Goil Ghana, Sun Seekers Tours, the media notably - Graphic Sports, GTV, TV3, Metro TV, UTV and yours truly.