The country will play host to the African tournament and will be represented by two players. [Photo/tabletenniskenya.org/]There are less than 40 days to the start of the ITTF-Africa Top 16 Championships slated for Nairobi’s Kasarani Gymnasium.
In Kenya, the biggest names Sejal Thakkar and Bryan Mutua are putting the final touches on their preparations, ready to go head-to-head with Africa’s most respected table tennis stars.
Likewise, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) led by Joseph Okello is working round the clock to ensure all is well ahead of the prestigious championship that runs from March 1-3.
“The ITTF Africa Continental Cup is a special event in the hearts and minds of the continental table tennis community,” says Okello, adding:
“It is a real privilege to evoke the memory of the greatest players and adventurers of that period by hosting the continent’s most challenging historic men’s and women’s Cup which holds the key to the World Cup slots for the continent,”
This year’s Africa Top 16 includes the crème de la crème of Africa, who have encouraged many new regional competitors to show interest in the Nairobi 2018 edition.
Cup holders Aruna Quadri of Nigeria and Meshref Dina of Egypt are the star attractions,” said Kenya Table Tennis Association (KTTA) President Andrew Mudibo.
Kenya unveiled two players who will represent the host nation on the forthcoming tournament.
Kenya’s rising star Bryan Mutua and experienced top lady Sejal Thakkar are happy with the event preparations.
Mutua, a product of KTTA’s “Tucheze Tebo” (Swahili for Let’s play TT) is one of the fastest rising Kenyan youngsters and a prodigy from Mwala High School.
Sejal, the never-say-never women’s table tennis star, will be playing her fourth Commonwealth Games for Kenya this year after having the feel of the Top 16 Championships in Nairobi.