By Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dr. Alex Ackon of the Ghana Police Hospital claimed his second title at the 10th Edition of the CEOs and Executives Ping Pong Tournament, defeating defending champion Emmanuel Kusi of the Bank of Ghana in a thrilling final at the Palms by Eagles Hotel.
The tournament, organised by Safety Communication Consult, featured a competitive field of executives and professionals who first competed in a group stage, with the top two from each of four groups advancing to the knockout rounds.
In the group stage:
Kwaku Gyampo topped Group 1 with 3-0 victories over Mohammed Matara and Eden Kulevome, while Matara took second with a 3-0 win over Kulevome.
Laud Fifi Aidoo dominated Group 2, beating Peter Egyin Mensah and Kwofie Richmond 3-0 each; Mensah secured second place with a 3-0 win over Richmond.
Dr. Alex Ackon swept Group 3, defeating Dr. Sylvester Nyamekye, Divine Aju, and Joshua Chikezie 3-0 each, with Nyamekye taking second.
Emmanuel Kusi led Group 4 with wins of 3-0 over Ebenezer Lawson and Theodore Boafor, and 3-1 over Elijah Azu; Boafor claimed second by beating Lawson 3-0 and Azu 3-1.
The quarter-finals saw Kwaku Gyampo advance via walkover when Peter Egyin Mensah was unavailable. Emmanuel Kusi defeated Dr. Sylvester Nyamekye 3-0, Dr. Alex Ackon beat Mohammed Matara 3-0, and Theodore Boafor eliminated Laud Fifi Aidoo 3-0.
In the semi-finals, Kusi outlasted Gyampo 3-1 (11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 11-6), while Dr. Ackon dispatched Dr. Theodore Boafor of the University of Ghana Medical School 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-7).
The final pitted the defending champion against the two-time winner. After dropping the first game 11-8, Dr. Ackon stormed back to win the next three 11-9, 11-1, and 11-4, securing the championship trophy.
Speaking after the match, Dr. Ackon credited consistent training and his participation in the ongoing Security Services League in Accra for his improved form. “I’ve been training seriously in recent times,” he said, “and the league has been a major factor in sharpening my performance.”
Emmanuel Kusi took silver, while Dr. Theodore Boafor and Kwaku Gyampo shared joint third place and bronze.
The tournament was officiated by umpires Kimathi Anthony Kpodo, Francis Atiboe, and Benjamin Eddy-Acquah from the Ghana Table Tennis Association, with ITTF-trained Competition Manager David Senyo Ahiaba assisted by Victor Smart.
Organiser Eric Apedo, CEO of Safety Communication Consult, thanked sponsors and participants for making the 10th edition a success, emphasising the event’s enduring appeal: “Table Tennis for All, for a Better Life.”
