David Ashong wins VTTAG Presidential Cup in thrilling final

David Ashong of the Ghana Fire Service claimed the VTTAG Presidential Cup title last Saturday, defeating Victor Smart in a gripping final at the Dansoman Campus Arena of The Seven Great Princesses School.

The Veterans Table Tennis Association of Ghana (VTTAG) Presidential Cup Championship attracted 45 seasoned players from across the country, including Kumasi, Takoradi, Cape Coast, Saltpond and Accra. The one-day tournament got underway at 9:30 a.m., with intense matches that tested skill, composure and endurance.

In the semi-finals, pastor and businessman Edem Hayford faced table tennis coach Victor Smart, while David Ashong took on veteran Leonard Vanderpuye-Orgle, popularly known as D’Royal Baby. Ashong and Vanderpuye-Orgle entered the contest with strong credentials, having won the Togo Veterans Open and Benin Veterans Open championships respectively in 2025.

Ashong and Smart progressed to the final, where they produced a high-intensity contest marked by powerful rallies and tactical play. Ashong eventually prevailed to lift the Presidential Cup, with Smart settling for the silver medal.

At the closing ceremony, VTTAG President, Lawyer Christopher Ian King, expressed appreciation to Match Commissioner Kwesi Frimpong, Assistant Commissioner Adolf Awotwe, the umpiring team, Vice President Jason Onyameh, members of the executive committee, players, families, officials and spectators for their contributions to the success of the event. He also announced plans for special tournament packages in 2026 and urged participants to remain “forever young” through table tennis.