by Ian Marshall, Editor

Noredi Bongo is the junior boys’ singles top seed, alongside Rabby Kasota he occupies the same position in the junior boys’ doubles, as well in the junior boys’ team event, where Christian Mbongia and Exauce Ngefuassa complete the four man squad.

Notably amongst the group, Christian Mbongia, 16 years old, was the runner up in the cadet boys’ singles event at the 2018 ITTF World Junior Circuit tournament in the Ivory Coast. last year in Ghana, Exauce Ngefuassa, 15 years of age, was a quarter-finalist in both the junior boys’ singles and cadet boys’ singles competitions. Noredi Bongo, Rabbay Kasota have yet to reach the later stages at international level.

Familiar face

A familiar face on the ITTF World Junior Circuit, Hungary’s Helga Dari is the most prominent name on duty in the junior girls’ singles event, the 17 year old has yet to gain a podium finish but she has experience on her side, having competed in the four most recent European Youth Championships.

Similar to Noredi Bongo, she starts the favourite for three titles. In the junior girls’ doubles, she is the top seed in harness with Oumehani Hosenally of Mauritius, in the junior girls’ team in the same position alongside Togo’s Ayoko Amah.

Host nation prominent

Meanwhile, in the cadet boys’ singles and cadet girls’ singles events, the host nation is prominent. In the former, Exauce Diampovisa is the leading name, in the latter Julie Kayembe.

Major challengers for honours, in the cadet boys’ doubles Exauce Diampovisa partners Kassa Dikizeyiko, in the cadet girls’ doubles Julie Kayembe joins forces with Muteba Dialumona. Likewise, the four players appear in the top seeded outfits; Mbaku Basaele completes the cadet boys’ team selection; for the girls it is Bombanga Sita.

The team events commence play.