Table tennis to conquer the region

FOR Zimbabwe table-tennis; 2018 is set to be the year of re-engagement.

After years absent on the regional and continental scene, local players can prepare themselves for another dance with fellow ping pong players from the continent.

Zimbabwe’s catch-up begins with a short trip to Gaborone for the Region V Championships set for January 25-29.

One has to trace back to 2014 in Zambia to find the last time the country participated in this Southern Africa tournament, and that at the Zambia games where Zimbabwe finished fourth.

What can be expected on their return tournament?

“I wish the players well, I think we have prepared well for 2018 with all the work we have done in previous years,” said Team Zimbabwe head coach Takudzwa Mudonhi.

“I honestly think our men’s team is a medal hopeful, as the bulk of the team comprises of seasoned and experienced players,”

“There are also some young and upcoming players, so the team is quite balanced,” he said.

As far as the ladies team is concerned; “it’s more of rebuilding exercise as the team has been inactive for some time.

“We are mainly focusing on the experience of it all,” continued Mudonhi.

Zimbabwe is also expected to participate in the Africa Senior Championships as well as the South Africa Open later on in the year.

“These are some of the big competitions we are looking forward to participate in again.

“We are looking forward to be more active again so this is like a year to re-engage ourselves in regional and continental competitions.

“From there we are obviously aiming at playing in international tournaments because our last major tournament was the World Championships in Dortmund in 2012.”

The national coach has hailed the Zimbabwe table-tennis union for strong grassroots programs.

“That has been our strength, we have focused heavily of nurturing talent from grass roots and we have to continue putting efforts.

“If we could acquire more help financially, Zimbabwe’s table-tennis would go far because we have the talent.

‘Resources remain our biggest challenge,” said Mudonhi.