To champion the growth and promotion of table tennis in the Eastern African region, the maiden meeting of 13 countries that made up the region holds on February 18 in Nairobi, Kenya.
According to the President, ITTF-Africa Eastern Region, Andrew Mudibo, the aim of the gathering is to jaw-jaw on the way forward for table tennis in the region.
In a letter sent to the national associations of Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, one representative from each country is expected in Nairobi on February 17 for the meeting scheduled for February 18.
“The ITTF-Africa Eastern Region was formed on 25th October, 2016 at the last General Assembly meeting of ITTF Africa that was held in Agadir, Morocco. In an effort to be able to come up with programs that will see the growth of table tennis in our region, the Kenya Table Tennis Association will host one representative preferably either the President or Secretary General of member countries within the region to a one day Eastern Region Meeting, that seeks to address issues affecting our region,” the letter stated.:
Among the agenda of the meeting are filling of regional office officials, development activities on a rotational basis, equipment donor-ship on a rotational basis and competition among the region to qualify for ITTF-Africa Top 16 Cup.
Delegates are expected to confirm their attendance by February 10 for the organizers to make necessary arrangement for their reception.
Reacting to the idea of the meeting, ITTF & Africa-Oceania Development Cordinator, Michael Brown said: “I would also like to encourage your attendance at this important meeting, as part of the establishment of the East Africa Region. This is an important milestone in the future development of table tennis, not only in East Africa, but for the entire continent of Africa. Although there is not unlimited support, large support is being offered towards each of the regions to assist with the establishment of Regional Championships, which will also act as qualification events towards the ITTF-Africa Cup. This provides an opportunity for athletes to compete among neighbouring countries, and not be required to travel to the opposite side of the continent to be able to compete internationally.”
