The Paramount Chief of New Juaben Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III has hosted a tennis ball competition at the Yiadom Hwedie palace as part of his commitment to reviving the sport in Koforidua.
Koforidua has had competitive advantage in the past years and produced great local and international tennis ball players such as the only qualified Ghanaian male Olympian in table tennis Isaac Opoku alias Asawa.
Historically, development of table tennis sports in Koforidua was championed by the late Omanhene of New Juaben Daasebre Kwaku Boateng decades ago.
Sadly, the sports took a little nosedive after this death despite individual’s efforts.
However, the new Omanhene of New Juaben Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III has reassured to bring back the sports to its past glory.
The chief therefore opened the palace for table tennis competition on Thursday December 21, 2022 as part of the Akwasidae Kese celebration.
It brought together both upcoming table tennis players and old players in the traditional area.
The Omanhene and the Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong played the the exhibition match.
They both pledged support for the sports.
“I’m glad many people acknowledge that table tennis was birthed in this palace .I will do everything possible to revive table tennis game. This is just the beginning there are more to come. I promise you that I will support table tennis to restore the past glory.so you young men and women here should love the sports because it is Dear to my heart” Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III said .
Felix Adjetey Sowah, a GFA match Commissioner is also chairman of the New Juaben Tennis ball club said Koforidua is the hub of tennis ball sports in Ghana which continue to produce great players for Ghana for international competitions such as the Olympics game.
He however appealed to stakeholders to provide training center for the tennis club to help train new talents.
“Current where we train we run shift with some government institutions. When they close then we go there. We don’t have anywhere to train. Recently we started talent hunt in schools to get new talents to replace the old ones who have left but we don’t have anywhere to train them .so we are appealing that they help us” Mr. Sowah said
Theophilus Amoh defeated James Marfo to emerged overall winner of the competition.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
