ZIMBABWE Table Tennis Union (ZTTU) says it is targeting a podium finish when it hosts the Southern Africa Table Tennis Championship from July 10 to 12, with two training camps completed and two more winding before the tournament begins.
ZTTU president Noah Ferenando said the national teams have been training under a structured camp programme as part of preparations to host the regional event on home soil.
“We don’t want to be participants, we want to actually have a podium finish,” Ferenando told NewsDay Sport.
“We can’t host and not get a medal in our home soil.
Ferenando said the Sports and Recreation Commission had supported the union’s bid to host the tournament, describing government backing as central to the preparation process.
“They’ve been instrumental in our preparative journey.
“They’ve helped us, we have tied loose ends, and we are now good to go.”
The tournament marks Zimbabwe’s second time hosting the regional championship, having last staged the event in 1995.
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The men’s national team has been working under head coach Wang Liping, who has overseen technical training for national squad players ahead of the championship.
Table tennis in Zimbabwe has in recent months received support from Chinese donors, who have also backed infrastructure and development for the sport regionally.
The Southern Africa Table Tennis Championship will be held in Harare from July 10 to 12.
