by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer

Accompanied by Steve Dainton, ITTF Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Weikert was also present at the recent “Table Tennis for All, For Life” forum organised jointly by the African Table Tennis Federation and the International Table Tennis Federation; the two day meeting concluding on Tuesday 4th September.

Earlier at the opening ceremony Thomas Weikert had explained his vision for the future.

“We are ready to support Africa; this is part of our strategic plan to empower each continent. We will increase our backing for the continent in terms of equipment and coaching, which we believe we help raise the profile of the sport. However, we must not forget the ethics of good governance and transparency which must also be upheld by those in charge of our sport in every continent.” Thomas Weikert

Present to hear the words of Thomas Weikert were several distinguished names. Notably, Jean Christophe Stephan, the Mauritius Minister of Youth and Sport was present in addition to Philippe Hao Thyn Voon Ha Shun, the President of the Mauritius National Olympic Committee, Khaled El Salhy, the President of the African Table Tennis Federation and Vimal Basanta Lala, the President of the Mauritius Table Tennis Association.

In a show of appreciation, the Mauritius Table Tennis Association made presentations to recognise the efforts of Thomas Weikert and Steve Dainton for their vision in trying to lift the fortune of the sport in Africa.

Philippe Hao Thyn Voon Ha Shun (left) presents commemorative plaques to Thomas Weikert (centre) and (right) Steve Dainton as a recognition of their efforts to promote the sport of table tennis in Africa (Photo: Adrien Brunette)

Supportive of the efforts made by Thomas Weikert and Steve Dainton, Vimal Basanta Lala expressed his thanks; he is now more than ever motivated to build a dedicated table tennis training centre in the island, the first in Sub-Sahara Africa. The views were echoed by Philippe Hao Thyn Voon Ha Shun; like Thomas Weikert, he stressed the need for transparent administration throughout the continent.

Matters concluded with Khaled El-Salhy endorsing the value of the role fulfilled by the International Table Tennis Federation in promoting table tennis in Africa; the thanked all concerned.

2018 ITTF African Championships: Newsletter – Monday 3rd September

2018 ITTF African Championships: Newsletter (Tuesday 4th September)