by Ian Marshall, Editor

A Pharaoh Cruising Restaurant was the home on Friday 3rd August; a two hour cruise starting at 7.00pm being the order of proceedings and one which attracted a host of distinguished guests.

Notably, local celebrities including well-known actors and government officials were present to show their skills on the four duly assembled attractively decorated tables.

Meanwhile, from the world of table tennis Khalil Al-Mohannadi, the ITTF Deputy President and President of the Qatar Table Tennis Association attended alongside Moataz Ashour, the President of the Egyptian Table Tennis Federation.

Prominent names but if one player attracted the attention it was 45 year old Class 6 Para athlete Ibrahim Hamadtou. He demonstrated that he was just as adept at holding a TTX racket in his mouth and executing telling strokes as he is with a conventional piece of equipment.

At the helm of proceeding was Mounir Bessah, Head of the ITTF Junior Programme; a different role, those within his gaze might never aspire to great heights but he was just as enthused as when watching budding teenagers with great ambitions extol their skills.

“It was great to see how the invited guests loved the concept; all were pleasantly surprised.” Mounir Bessah

Undoubtedly it was an occasion to remember, smiles all round, delighted with the innovative of way of playing table tennis.

One day later, on the following evening it was no different as another well-known name, the host nation’s El-Sayed Lashin, the man with the mighty forehand tried his hand. The location was equally dramatic as the sun set on the mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion.

The Sphinx gave its approval and so did everyone else; totally unanimous.