The 2026 ITTF-Africa Hopes Week and Challenge has concluded in Accra, with Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira and Egypt’s Zeina Ayman Mohamed emerging as the overall winners in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively.
The six-day continental development programme brought together Africa’s most promising young table tennis talents for intensive training, player assessment, talent identification and technical development ahead of future international competitions.
Sebatindira topped the boys’ category after an impressive performance throughout the programme. Nigeria’s Ayoola Umar Olawale finished second, while Egypt’s Adam Aly Lasheen placed third. Ghana’s Ransford Antwi secured fourth position to complete the top four.
In the girls’ category, Egypt’s Zeina Ayman Mohamed claimed the top honour, with Uganda’s Patience Anyango and Tunisia’s Ritej Cherif sharing second place. Nigeria’s Elizabeth Emelike finished fourth.
The programme attracted participants from 12 African countries—South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria, Tunisia, Togo, Zimbabwe, Benin, Botswana and host nation Ghana. A total of 33 players, made up of 17 boys and 16 girls, took part in the event.
Twenty-three coaches and officials from across the continent also participated, providing technical guidance and mentorship to the young athletes throughout the week.
The event was attended by several top officials, including ITTF Africa Hopes Programme Manager Eva Jeler, ITTF Sports Development Director Mikael Anderson and 2026 ITTF Africa Hopes Coordinator David Senyo Ahiaba, who supervised the successful delivery of the programme.
Chairman of the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Mawuko Afadzinu, joined Dr. Alex Ackon, a member of the ITTF Health Committee, and other dignitaries to present medals and awards to the outstanding performers at the closing ceremony.
Following the successful conclusion of the Hopes Week and Challenge, attention now turns to the 2026 ITTF-Africa Youth Championships, scheduled for July 20 to 27 in Accra, where the continent’s best Under-15 and Under-19 players will battle for continental honours before the ITTF-Africa Youth Cup takes place from July 28 to 29.
