Cape Town - Three Cape Town teenagers, and the rest of their team, hope to make South Africa proud as they take on 20 countries from across the world in the Junior Table Tennis Championships this week.
The South African team consists of the second youngest player of the tournament, 14-year-old Mushfiqah Kalam from Bonteheuwel, who said she is ready to show the world what she is made of.
“I feel honoured to be the second youngest person in the tournament. I am definitely excited to challenge them and to show what I am capable of and to show them that South Africa is not just junk. Normally they underestimate us and I will show them I can do it.”
Mushfiqah said she was nervous when she played her first game on Wednesday, but was determined to pick herself up and do her best for the rest ofthe tournament.
“I stay in Bonteheuwel and it is not a popular sport in my area, but they (family and friends) are very proud of me. I hope to continue and travel around the world and play table tennis for my country.”
Byrone Abrahams, 18, from Valhalla Park said he was inspired by other kids that played in his area when he saw them travelling abroad - and wanted to be a part of the experience.
“It is overwhelming to be a part of it, to travel all over the world and play table tennis. It is not something that you can explain, you have to experience it.
“It is quite an honour for me to represent my country and get to wear my national colours with pride all over the world.”
The South African Table Tennis Board said they were proud to host the tournament, which is being held in Grand West until Wednesday, where the top 19 countries will be performing.
According to a statement by the board: “As part of South Africa’s junior players preparation for this prestigious event, the board sent juniors to Taiwan for an international training camp.
“The team participated in the African juniors in Mauritius and Cadet Championship in April. Regular training camps were conducted and an additional championship opportunity presented itself through the Arnold Classic event in May earlier this year, for players to prove their worth.”
The South African team will feature SA champion Lekeasha Johnson from Hanover Park, who is ranked 324 in the world.
Lekeasha said she has had an amazing eight years playing table tennis and said she never thought she would be so good at the sport.
“I never thought coming from Hanover Park that I would get this far, because of the situation there. I never thought I would be playing a sport professionally at this age.”
She said she hoped to take the sport much further and turn it into a career.
“I want to finish school then go abroad to one of the countries that are good at table tennis, like China, and train there but still represent my country.”
Cape Argus