Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira Retains U-12 African Crown as 2026 ITTF Africa Hopes Week & Challenge Ends in Accra
Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira successfully defended his Under-12 boys’ title as the 2026 ITTF-Africa Hopes Week & Challenge concluded in Accra, Ghana, with Africa’s brightest young table tennis talents showcasing their potential during six days of elite training and competition.
Held from July 13 to July 18, 2026, the event took place at The Dome, University of Ghana, bringing together 33 players (17 boys and 16 girls) from 12 African countries.
The tournament formed part of the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) talent development programme aimed at identifying and nurturing the continent’s next generation of stars.
Under the guidance of ITTF Head Coach Eva Jeler, participants benefited from intensive technical training sessions, coaching education, and high-level competition designed to accelerate the development of promising Under-12 players.
Sebatindira once again proved why he is regarded as one of Africa’s brightest young prospects, successfully defending the boys’ title with another dominant display. Nigeria’s Ayoola Umar Olawale finished as runner-up, while Egypt’s Adam Lasheen Aly claimed third place. Ghana’s Ransford Antwi impressed on home soil to secure a fourth-place finish.
In the girls’ competition, Zeina Ayma Mohammed of Egypt emerged as champion after an outstanding campaign. Uganda’s Patience Anyango continued her impressive rise by finishing second, while Tunisia’s Ritej Cherif also earned a podium finish. Nigeria’s Elizabeth Emilike placed fourth.
The top two boys and top two girls qualified to represent Africa at the 2026 ITTF World Hopes Week & Challenge, which will be held in Sheffield, United Kingdom, in October.
Award Winners
Boys
- Joseph Sebatindira (Uganda)
- Ayoola Umar Olawale (Nigeria)
- Adam Lasheen Aly (Egypt)
- Ransford Antwi (Ghana)
Girls
- Zeina Ayma Mohammed (Egypt)
- Patience Anyango (Uganda)
- Ritej Cherif (Tunisia)
- Elizabeth Emilike (Nigeria)
The event received widespread praise from the International Table Tennis Federation for its excellent organization by the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA).
GTTA President Mawuko Afadzinu expressed his delight at Ghana’s successful hosting of the prestigious development programme.
“The Ghana Table Tennis Association is pleased to have hosted the ITTF-Africa Hopes programme. There is abundant talent in Ghana for us to work with. Thank you to ITTF-Africa and the International Table Tennis Federation for the confidence reposed in us. We look forward to an exciting African Youth Championships and Youth Cup.”
The successful staging of the 2026 ITTF-Africa Hopes Week & Challenge further strengthens Ghana’s growing reputation as a destination for major continental table tennis events while providing a valuable platform for Africa’s future stars to develop and compete at the highest youth level.
