Table tennis hits high spot at the Games

THRILLING table tennis action got under way at the Braelyn Community Hall yesterday, as part of the second annual Steve Vukile Tshwete Games taking place around East London this week.

Hundreds of budding table tennis talents from various regions around the Eastern Cape were battling it out for supremacy.

The president of Table Tennis Eastern Cape, Xolile Funani was in attendance, casting his eye over the emerging talent.

“We are very happy to be here, but also a bit disappointed,” said Funani.

“Table tennis is a developing code, so we have many exciting youngsters who are in the U12 age group who we wanted to have here at the games, but unfortunately the rules state if you don’t have an ID book you can’t play, so that is something that we hope will change in the future.”

Nevertheless, Funani said he enjoyed watching the enthusiastic participants giving it their best.

“It is a very good tournament to be a part of, and it is good to see so many table tennis players from the Eastern Cape here,” said Funani.

“This is a great opportunity for players to showcase their talent and we are keeping a close eye on the talent here.

“We have the team event, doubles, mixed doubles and singles, so it is very competitive and players are trying their best.

“I am also very happy with the skills shown so far in the event, it is really promising and the future of table tennis is looking good in the province.”

A number of players taking part in the games are part of the provincial schools team that will be battling it out against the best school players from around the country at the national competition next month, and will be aiming to gain some momentum from the games.

“There are quite a few players here who are in the provincial schools team and will be taking part in the nationals in Gauteng in December, so this is a very good buildup for those players,” said Funani.

“We weren’t able to have a training camp before the nationals, so these games are being used as a training camp for them so that they will be ready for the nationals.”

With the team event having been concluded yesterday, the action turns to the other events from today.

With the finals being held tomorrow, some exciting table tennis should be on show today as players try to make it into the various finals.

“[Today] will be the doubles, mixed doubles and singles and once we get to the finals on Friday, the best will be on show,” said Funani.

“This will see our most promising and exciting Eastern Cape players in action and the games being played will be of a very high class.”

The action continues from early this morning at the Braelyn Community Hall.