Table tennis: Ayodele denies Abrefa Homowo Cup win

Ghana-based Nigerian ping-pong player Sunday Ayodele made light work of national top seed, Derek Abrefa, with a decisive 3 - 0 victory in the final of the national table tennis Homowo Cup to lift the trophy at the D.G. Hathramani Sports Hall of the Accra Sports Stadium last Saturday.

What was expected to be a keenly contested five-set duel between the two most dominant players over the past few years, ended up being a one-sided affair as Ayodele relied on fast spinning and smashes to brush aside the Ghanaian who had a large following at the hall.

Ayodele received a cash prize of GH¢1,600 and a medal after lifting the trophy while Abrefa got a GH¢1000.
Felix Lartey and Emmanuel Commey who placed third and fourth, respectively, received GH¢500 each.

In the ladies category, Eva Adom Amankwa from the Ghana Armed Forces beat Beatrice Gyasi 3-1 in the final to receive GH¢1500, a medal and a winner’s trophy while Gyasi got GH¢750 with Celia Baah Danso and Lynda Annor going home with GH¢300 each.
The competition witnessed over 50 professional players, including youngsters taking part, and was supervised by national coach, Anthony Owusu-Ansah.

The president of the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Mawuko Afadzinu, who sponsored the event, lauded the players for exhibiting high skills and talents at the professional level.

He observed that with the performance exhibited last Saturday, this year’s national ping pong league would be exciting.

Mr Afadzinu, Head of Marketing at Stanbic Bank, noted that the players should not rest on their oars but strive harder to be among the best in the world.

“You must all endeavour to achieve the ultimate, which is to be among the best in the world,” he stated.