Busan 2024 is a good preparation for African Games, says ATTF boss

President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy has hailed South Korea for staging a world class World Championships while tasking African teams to use the tournament as a build-up to next month’s African Games in Ghana.

Khaled was particularly impressed with the performance of the Egyptian female team while rueing their chance of hitting the quarter final stage of the competition.

“I want to congratulate the Korea Table Tennis Association (KTTA) and especially its president, Ryu Seung-min for the remarkable success of the 2024 WTTC in Busan. The technical standard of most of the participating teams is very good, and for the first time since a long time ago, there was big competition against China from France and Kore Republic,” he said.

He however, tasked African teams; “I believe this tournament is a good preparation for African teams before the 13th African Games next week in Accra, Ghana,” he added.

Meanwhile, the African delegation at the just-concluded World Team Table Tennis Championships in Busan,  South Korea has showered accolades on the host nation for giving the table tennis world a hitch-free tournament.

While it was the first time South Korea hosted the championships, the African delegates were unanimous in stating that the hosts delivered the tournament in full Korean flair characterised by hard work, diligence and all-round efficiency wrapped in admirable humility.

The African delegates stated that the Busan tournament was an awesome experience which would remain with them for a very long time to come.

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The African teams and officials appreciated the reception, hospitality and the overall ambience of friendship on display in Busan throughout the championships.

For ITTF Vice Presidents, Wahid Oshodi and Alaa Meshref, the Koreans have set a new standard for all countries to emulate in terms of hosting a world-class table tennis tournament.

Oshodi described the tournament environment in Busan as the best in recent times, while lauding the Korean Table Tennis Association (KTTA) under the leadership of Olympics medallist, Ryu Seung-min, for assembling an excellent team which delivered a great tournament.

“I must confess that what we just witnessed in Busan was testament to what the Koreans are capable of doing. They have shown quality and finesse in staging their first World  Championships. I must commend everyone involved in the event and I hope we can continue to raise the bar in our sport with what South Korea just did in Busan,” Oshodi said.

Meshref also lauded the organisers for putting up a good show, especially in the area of hospitality.

“The organisation was great. I think it was a superb, well-organised event. I cannot actually figure out one single problem or issue with the event.It is very highly appreciated. We in the ITTF are very happy with it. They made very good preparations, which would be very difficult for anyone to beat,” Meshref said.

Similarly, Vice Presidents, African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Alfred Bagueka Assobo, Alfred Germain Karou and Andrew Mudibo were united in their views that South Korea has raised the bar in successfully hosting the championships, which future hosts might find tough to meet or surpass.

“The organisation was excellent in terms of accommodation, transportation and the venue. The hotels were very close to the venue. One of the lessons to learn is the feeding of everybody in the venue. The kindness and politeness of the people and the volunteers involved in the organisation were encouraging,” Assobo said.

“My impressions about the organization of the event in Busan are the best, although I have to say I was expecting it. The people were welcoming. The infrastructure and settings for the competition were exceptional. I really enjoyed it. The lessons to be learnt from what we experienced in Busan are that, with the will and support of all concerned, all bets are off, as we experienced last year in Durban, South Africa,” said Karou.

“The tournament as expected was well organized. I was happy that from the Seoul airport, there was someone to meet me at the door of the plane and assist with transfers. Also, the setup of the playing area was a big plus and it showed that as a table tennis family we have greatly improved. The next championships in Doha, should be out of this world as Korea has set the stage and standards already,” Mudibo said.

In the same vein, President, South Africa Table Tennis Board (SATTB), Joe Carrim, stated: “Overall impression was very good organisation with warm welcoming reception. Food versatility could be improved, but good volunteer programming and organisational skills are most efficient. Firm, yet friendly and knowledgeable volunteers.”

Also, President, Ethiopia Table Tennis Association, Tesfaye Bizane said: “Everything was perfect as the championships finished well organised. The different sessions were good and the treatment from the host was fantastic. The Koreans are very friendly and helpful people.”

Likewise, Vice President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Adesoji Tayo, said: “This is a top-notch organisation. From the airport welcome and pickup to hotel arrangements and daily pickups to the arrangement of the playing halls and security. I must not forget the passion at each of the games; they all culminate in a passionate, beautiful and wonderful festival of table tennis. The people of Korea are so warm and ready to assist. They love visitors.”

In like manner, Chabeli Mohatlane, President Lesotho Table Tennis Association, said: “It was a perfect plan. Other countries must learn that time is very important and that cleanness, neatness count a lot. Well done KTTA.”