It was a day of delight and upsets as the Ghana Table Tennis Association’s (GTTA) Sheroes Open ‘Ladies Can Loop Championship’ saw many talents discovered and new champions crowned at the DG Hathiramani Hall of the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, December 31, 2022.
The One-day event saw 27 Juniors (U-15) and 27 Senior players battle in keenly contested Best of 5 Games from round of 32 till the finals.
Wrapping up the 2022 year in glory, Joanita Borteye, who had a bye from the round 32, saw off a challenge from Ruth Klutse before beating Mary Naa Borkor Borteyquaye in the quarter finals by 3 straight sets (3-0).
Joanita, who plays for Rising Star Academy, had a tough semifinal from Rhoda Naa Bortey but went through by 3-2. She finally defeated Jessica Dzroh 3-1 to be crowned champion of the Juniors.
An elated Borteye was short of words.
“I will say a big thanks to God, my coaches and my manager, Mr Albert for giving me good training. I feel very excited for winning. The competition was tough for me but I took it easy. I will keep training hard to win more.”
Cash prizes were given to champion Joanita Borteye, runner up Jessica as well as joint 3rd, Rhoda and Martha Sackey.
She is an Army lady and she won the seniors easily by beating her Army counterpart Celia Baah Danso by 3-1. Baidoo who went through the championship by beating players from Navy, Immigration and Police from the round 32, had to see off Hilda Agbotta of Immigration, 3-1 in the semi-finals.
She took the first two games without Celia cross 5 points but didn’t take her time in the third game, giving away points to her opponent who won 1 before winning her 3rd.
Augustina Baidoo shared view words with the media after winning the Sheroes Open, seniors’ category.
“I am very excited because it wasn’t easy. I fought a good fight; it wasn’t easy beating Ghana’s number 1. It is a dream come true. My toughest opponent was honestly with Lynda Annor in the round of 16 and aside that, I didn’t see any toughness anywhere. I will put in a lot at training and hope to make Ghana proud as the African Games is coming up next year plus others.”
The GTTA awarded not only the semifinalists in the seniors’ category with cash prizes but also Cecilia Frema who came 5th, Emerald Bortey who emerged 6th, Eva Adom Amakwaah and Bernice Borquaye who finished 7th and 8th respectively. Cynthia Kwabi and Hilda Agbotta Asare were joint 3rd.
A game that attracted a lot of attention due to the its beauty and tension was that between Celia Baah Danso and Emerald Bortey, which ended 3-2 for the former.
President of the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Mawuko Afadzinu shared with the media the idea for the initiative.
“This is a special initiative and was encouraged by the ITTF and the idea is to have a very good pathway for Ladies to play, enjoy and have the right exposure. Because as a country, the ladies are more likely to win laurels and honors for us and if you look at what happened today, we have a new champion for the seniors, a worthy champion for the juniors and there were many upsets which tells us the potentials we have and the need for us to do more for the ladies. Two juniors for the first time qualified to play with the seniors and made it all the way to the quarter finals and that is part of our development plan.”
The recently elected First Vice President of the Ghana Olympic Committee also told the media, they look to broaden the talents with this championship.
“We are looking God willing for next year to be a watershed year. We are looking to do what we just witnessed year, at least once every month. If we have this 6 times in a year, and not just in Accra but to Koforidua, Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Denu, Oti region and across the country, we are going to broaden the talent and see a lot more of ladies fulfilling their God given potentials. Our objective is very simple, ‘Be the best you can be’, and for the younger ones, we say school is very important; ’no school, no play’. Play is very important, play very well and underscoring both is discipline and hardwork.”
Ghana’s number 1, Celia Baah Danso presented a jersey to youngster Joanita Borteye, as Celia was overwhelmed about the performance of Joanita.
The Ghana Table Tennis Association hopes to further offer opportunities to young ones who will be world champions in the future with their consistent action plan for the youth.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
