Preparation gathers momentum for WTT Durban 2023

ITTF Group CEO and other delegation at the unveiling of the trophy

TABLE TENNIS Preparation gathers momentum for WTT Durban 2023

Hassan Abdulsalam 10:51 - 02.04.2023

Africa will be hosting its first World Championships in 80 years in South Africa.

The preparation for the first World Table Tennis Championships to be staged in Africa in 84 years is shaping up.

Pulse Sports reports that Africa will be hosting its first World Championships in 80 years in South Africa.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Group CEO, Steve Dainton, and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Michael Brown, are in South Africa, while the Local Organising Committee (LOC), led by Joe Carrim, is in South Africa to shape up the preparation.

The highly anticipated ITTF World Table Tennis Championships (WTT) Finals in 2023 are only 50 days away.

World Table Tennis Championships
World Table Tennis Championships Durban Mascot unveiled

At the 50-Day Countdown event held at the KwaMashu Sports Center, the highly desired World Championships medals were unveiled on Friday.

Given that it has been more than 80 years since the competition was last contested on African territory, this year's tournament will be a key turning point in the history of the sport. The last time the competition took place on the continent was in Cairo, Egypt, in 1939.

With the vibrant and diverse culture of South Africa on display, players and fans can expect a truly unique experience that goes beyond just the game.

Segun Toriola hails return of World Championships to Africa after 80 years

Nigerian table tennis legend Segun Toriola has hailed the return of the world championships to Africa after 80 years.

Toriola feels happy about the return of the World Championships to Africa after eight decades.

Segun Toriola
Segun Toriola

“For Africa to host the World Championships for the first time in 80 years is commendable. It means a lot to Africa. I believe that many countries in Africa can host the World Championships. Certainly, Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and others can host the World Championships. Of course, South Africa, which is hosting the championships, can stage it.

"Hosting the World Championships in Africa will impact table tennis positively. For me, hosting the World Championships in Africa is like introducing table tennis in Africa. If South Africa hosts successfully, it would encourage other African countries to bid for the hosting rights,” the Nigerian former champion stated.

He added that the championships will make the players from the continent work harder.

“It will inspire the continent’s players to work harder. It is going to be novel because Africa has not hosted the World Championships in 80 years. I believe most African players will be very happy.

Segun Toriola hails return of World Championships to Africa after 80 years

From May 20 to May 28, 2023, the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals will be held. Men's and women's singles competitions, as well as tournaments for men's, women's, and mixed doubles, will be held at the Durban International Convention Centre. With the goal of winning the title of world champion in their respective divisions, 128 singles players and 64 doubles pairs will compete in a knockout competition over the course of eight days.

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