Zimpapers Logo

Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
LING WANG, the China table tennis team captain at the annual China-Zimbabwe Table Tennis Tournament, is confident he will reach the men’s singles finals at Belvedere Technical Teachers College.

The tournament gets underway tomorrow. Wang, who is the chairman of the China-Zimbabwe Table Tennis Tournament, said he has banished memories of last year when he was beaten in the semi-finals and is now focusing on the new challenge.

“I think we are ready as a team and we are looking forward to a very competitive tournament. We have been preparing well in Graniteside and I understand the Zimbabwe team is practicing at Prince Edward.

“We have managed to bring up four teams which will do duty for us for both men and women. We have a team of 16 members who are all hoping to do well and improve from last year. “I hope we will enjoy the event as it is well organised this Friday and Saturday with each matches starting at 9am,” said Wang.

The former University of China Table Tennis player said his intention is to see the sport growing in popularity in this country. The 56-year-old believes age is nothing but a number in table tennis.

“I have been helping local coaches to promote the sport ever since I came here to Zimbabwe in 1989 as a water supplier for Harare City Council. ‘‘It has been good working with the Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union and until 1995, when I started my own endeavours, I continued to work with the locals who are talented.

“I have been working hard at practice. Last year we managed to win the men’s title and we are looking forward to repeat that on Saturday. “So far, everything is in place at the venue and we have managed to put in place the tables and had a feel of the playing field,’’ said Wang.

The tournament will see the first 200 people getting free Chinese lunch boxes of food.