At the first annual Kyidom Table Tennis Gala, held at the Kyidom Eseho in Kyebi, George Amponsah beat Bernard Mensah in an intense and extremely competitive final of the best of three matches to become the first champion of the new tournament.
The event was held on January 1st to usher in the New Year.
Other winners of the games, among 16 registered players from Kyebi and surrounding settlements, were Bernard Mensah, a police officer, who ranked second, and Nana Mills, a trader, who placed third.
The event was organised under the auspices of the newly formed Kyebi Table Tennis Club, founded by Bɛrima Nana Fredua-Agyeman Ɔkotomin, the club’s Chief Patron.
Supporting sponsors of the event included Hon. Addo Aikens, MCE, Michael Acheampong, Club President, Sylvia Nana Adjei, Ahenkan Sounds, Bɛrima Kwesi Bɛnkyi, Ɔkyenhene Sompahene, and Frempong Boateng. Club Games Coordinator. The event was hosted by the Ampebame Kyidom Palace of Kyebi.
Bɛrima Nana Fredua-Agyeman Ɔkotomin, who is the Kyebi Kyidom Pɛnin and Ɔkyenhene Asomkahene, told participants that the club’s vision is to build a strong table tennis culture in Kyebi to develop star contenders for local, national, and international accolades.
He also announced that a table tennis league will launch in March this year, alongside two other annual galas at Easter and Ohum in July. Ohum is the annual harvest festival of the Akyems.
“Kyebi youth have always enjoyed playing table tennis, but there has never been a formal structure to let them grow in if they choose to. The Club will help change that and provide us all with what the sport can offer us” the Founder stated.
“We will offer training sessions and competitions to children from the age of 5 to help grow the culture of the sport in Kyebi”, the founder added.
Michael Acheampong, the club President, on behalf of the club and gala participants, thanked the Chief Patron for the initiative, noting that although Kyebi had a long history of interest in the game, no event had been planned on this level. He also called the formation of the club a milestone, noting “our young men and women have waited for this day for a long time.”
“The Chief Patron has pledged to ensure that the club is registered and recognized by the Ghana Table Tennis Association,” the President added, saying,g “members must train and play well to compete at high levels.”
The event was graced by the presence of Kojo Kwakye Owusu, Managing Director of Gneiss Marketing and a special guest of the event, who competed as well.
