The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was bursting with pride to present their Open Table Tennis Championship that drew big names from all over South Africa to the Wynberg Military Sports Complex from Wednesday 13 to Sunday 17 September.
With a grand and courteous opening ceremony accompanied by the ceremonious sounds of SANDF’s renowned military band, the ping pong paddles were ready to pound their opponents.
This open tournament invited the public, to compete against one another according to categories for senior men and women, a juniors tournament, followed by the main event in which remaining finals and the veterans’ tournament took centre stage over the weekend.
In the opening, the chair of the SANDF’s Table Tennis League Lieutenant Colonel Hendrik Jooste welcomed athletes and spectators by mentioning that the open tournament was the first in several years.
“One thing that is very special tonight about table tennis is that the world sees this as the most popular racket sport in the world. That places us at the top as the cream of the crop.
“I want you to feel at home tonight and I also want you to enjoy this prestigious event. I want us all to maintain good sportsmanship throughout this tournament because that is the most important,” Jooste announced.
He commended the uniquely diverse makeup of the game, having brought different cultures and people of different beliefs and backgrounds together in the spirit of sport under the SANDF’s roof.
“This tournament is also presented in honour of Sergeant Gregory Knight, Flight Sgt Tony Peter Jantjies, Sergeant Percival Fischer, Warrant Officer Derick Vincent Bailey and Sergeant Freek Du Toit – those are members that have participated in table tennis for years and they have served the country. We hope that when they retire, they hang up their boots, their guns and their rackets to be showcased.”
Also in attendance was the SANDF’s national champion, Monique Lentz, who in 2022 won the gold medal for the women’s singles and the women’s team silver medallist, women’s doubles silver medallist and mixed doubles bronze medallist.
