by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer
Established names will no doubt gain ultimate selection but in order to give young players the opportunity to show their skills, trials will be held at the D. G. Hathiramani Hall located in the Accra Sports Stadium, where some 49 players, comprising 30 men and 19 women, have been invited under the supervision of Anthony Owusu Ansah, the national head coach.
In addition to the established players, most notably Joseph Amissah, a left handed pen-holder has been invited alongside Augustine Baidoo, Desmond Osei, Samuel Hagan, Godwin Nyarko Aseku and Daniel Tawiah. All impressed recently in April at the African Junior and Cadet Championships.
Meanwhile, Celia Baah-Danso, the current Sports Writers Association of Ghana player of the year and recent Liebherr 2019 World Championships participant has been invited alongside the experienced Cynthia Kwabi, Eva Adom-Amankwaa, Hilda Asare and Eva Ampah. The notable female junior names on the list are Augustina Baidoo, Millicent Ankude, Matilda Fodu and Diana Opoku; all rapidly improving players.
Worthy contenders for national team places but one name stands out, listed at no.411 on the current Cadet Girls’ World Rankings, 10-year-old Emmanuella Yaa Kyere is present.
The first series of matches which comprise the trials will be held from Wednesday 3rd to Friday 5th July, the second from Wednesday 10th to Saturday 13th July and the third on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th July.
