The Bortey Sports Complex at Borteyman buzzed with excitement this past weekend as it hosted the inaugural Ghana Smash table tennis tournament. Held from September 26 to 27, the event marked a significant milestone for the sport in the region and was organized by the Veterans Table Tennis Association (VTTA).
The two-day competition brought together a diverse array of talent, featuring players from Ghana, Benin, and Nigeria. The tournament showcased a wide range of categories, including Men’s and Women’s Singles, Mixed Doubles, Veterans events (40–49, 50–59, and 60+), and a Corporate team challenge.
Akanbi and Joy Dominate the Headlines
The Men’s Singles event saw top seed Akanbi Rilwan Daniel (EFT) live up to expectations, clinching the title with a commanding performance. Daniel navigated a tough bracket, culminating in a 3–1 victory over Tchassama Madjid Abdoul (VBB) in the final.
In the Women’s Singles, the competition was equally fierce. Asaju Ajarat Bisola (EFT) emerged victorious after a nail-biting final against Emmanuel Ofonmbuk Joy (EFT). Bisola secured the win in a thrilling five-game match (3–2), with the final game ending 12–10.
The Mixed Doubles final provided further drama. The pairing of Akanbi Rilwan Daniel and Emmanuel Joy continued their winning ways, defeating Abdulfatai Abdulbasit and Asaju Ajarat Bisola 3–2 in a seesaw battle that captivated the crowd.
Veterans Showcase Skill and Stamina
The Veterans categories proved that experience is just as potent as youth. In the 40–49 age bracket, Victor Smart Akintaro proved unstoppable, taking the title with a 3–0 win over Kweku Anyway in the final.
The 50–59 category saw Kweku Anyway bounce back to claim gold, defeating Emmanuel Daitey 3–1. Meanwhile, in the 60+ division, Leonard Vanderpuye-Orgle demonstrated timeless skill, securing a 3–1 victory over Wakilou Dine to take the top prize.
Corporate Team Event Adds Competitive Spark
The Corporate Team event was another major highlight of the Ghana Smash, underlining the tournament’s commitment to engaging the business community through sport. The duo of Leonard Vanderpuye-Orgle and his partner dominated the category, securing a 3–1 victory over the De-Brown Automobile team in the final.
The corporate challenge formed a key part of the maiden event, demonstrating how table tennis can bring together companies, institutions, and professionals in a spirit of competition, wellness, networking, and team building.
International Flavor
The presence of athletes from Benin and Nigeria added a competitive edge to the tournament. Players like Tchassama Madjid Abdoul and Kossi Desiré Bubune Akakpo from Benin, along with Nigerian representatives, made their mark, highlighting the growing regional camaraderie in the sport.
VTTA Calls for Corporate Ghana Support
The VTTA expressed satisfaction with the turnout and the level of competition, noting that the Ghana Smash is poised to become a staple on the West African table tennis calendar. The event concluded with a call for increased support for grassroots development, as the veterans proved that the sport remains vibrant at all levels.
The association also used the occasion to appeal to corporate Ghana for collaboration and sponsorship. According to the VTTA, the success of the inaugural Ghana Smash has strengthened its determination to grow the tournament, expand youth and veterans’ participation, attract more international competitors, and promote table tennis as a tool for health, discipline, and national development.
The VTTA is therefore inviting corporate organizations, financial institutions, telecom companies, automobile firms, beverage and manufacturing companies, media houses, and other stakeholders to partner with the Ghana Smash through sponsorship, equipment support, player development, event hosting, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Such partnership, the association noted, will help sustain the vision, mission, and strategic intent of the Ghana Smash and the VTTA, ensuring that the tournament grows into a permanent and impactful feature on Ghana’s sporting calendar. With the right corporate support, the Ghana Smash can become not only a premier table tennis event in West Africa but also a powerful platform for community development, regional integration, and sporting excellence.
