HARARE, Jul. 30 (NewsDay Sport) — Zimbabwe’s growing reputation in international table tennis received another boost on Wednesday after national head coach Liping Wang was honoured at a world-level tournament in India, where she was seated alongside diplomats and senior dignitaries.
The recognition came on the same day Zimbabwe celebrated a historic breakthrough after Brian Chamboko and Vikram Singh advanced to the next stage of the singles competition the first time Zimbabwean players have achieved the feat at a tournament of that level.
Wang said the invitation reflected the increasing respect Zimbabwe was earning within the international table tennis community.
“I have been invited to sit in the special guests’ area. I drank three cups of Indian tea watching the team’s play,” Wang told NewsDay Sport.
“Yes, I sat with other ambassadors and rich people of India. That means they take the Zimbabwe coach as an ambassador. It is an honour for Zimbabwe sport.”
The Chinese-born coach, who is in Zimbabwe under the China-Zimbabwe sports cooperation programme, has played a central role in transforming the country’s table tennis landscape through the introduction of scientific training methods and the establishment of structured youth development programmes.
He said the recognition extended beyond him personally.
“That means they respect Zimbabwe. Yes, it is great for the Zimbabwe table tennis team.”
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Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union president Noah Ferenando said Wang’s appointment was part of a broader strategy to professionalise coaching and raise Zimbabwe’s competitiveness on the global stage.
He said the recognition accorded to Wang in India underscored the progress Zimbabwe had made and was expected to enhance the country’s profile internationally while opening more opportunities for local players to compete at elite tournaments.
The latest achievement comes as Zimbabwe continues to make steady gains in international table tennis, with the performances of Chamboko and Singh providing further evidence of the sport’s upward trajectory under Wang’s guidance.
