Glasgow Greets SA With Open Arms

On the 26 May 2009, the South African Senior Table Tennis Team returned to South Africa tired but elated after a gruelling campaign that ran from 19 to 25 May, at the 2009 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

The 2009 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship proved to be a test of maturity for the South African athletes in attendance. A test that was conquered with focused passion and iron-will determination.

The male athletes superseded all expectations by ending 7th on the Team log of the competition (13th last) year by ousting Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and Cyprus. Teams that are historically ranked higher than South Africa. A testament as to what can be achieved when one puts in the hours, the sweat and the tears.

The ladies team, although having a match profile lower than that of their male counterparts, managed credible performances by not only holding their own against stronger female teams, but by also complementing their male team members when participating in the mixed doubles events.

It must be noted that three of the four female team members are still junior players: Khanyisile Madlala, Letshego Seleke and Zodwa Maphanga. These hardy competitors, that have also been identified by both Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) and Group 4 Securicor (G4S) as players worthy of enjoying athletic and financial support, managed to hold back the tide of international seasoned players by causing upsets or by knocking them off their pedestal at the most inopportune times. In the end, the level of play was just too much for these young athletes, but their performances will be held in high esteem for time to come.

The singles events was a different kettle of fish altogether. Here, internationally seasoned players came to the fore with all guns blazing, demolishing all newcomers with relentless abandon. Yet, the South African contingent managed to hold their ground by forcing tight matches and tense display of dexterity.

As a mixed pairing, Theo and Khanyisile climbed the ladder of success quite nimbly. Unfortunately, the pairing of Drinkhall and Parker, two top ranked Europeans, top-spinned them out of contention.

In the doubles event, Theo & Shane and Luke & Shaun got through to the main event but were knocked out in the second round. The girls put up a valiant fight but it was not to be.

In the consolation division, Shane played his heart out by reaching the semi-final stages in a display of tireless experience and athleticism. Unfortunately he was defeated by the eventual winner from Malaysia. Khanyisile, on the other hand, stood her ground but was beaten out of contention by Neha Aggarwal of India during the second round of play.

The feedback from all that attended the prestigious affair is that it was a wonderful spectacle. A championship that produced stroke mastery and sportsmanship bar none. An event that can hold its head up high in the world of Table Tennis.

Next year it’s the turn of India to host the Commonwealth Games. I’m sure that all prospective athletes are busy laying down the ground work in preparation for another memorable tournament.