Local table tennis in dire straits   

Indeed, there are hardly ever any table tennis championships that are staged on the local scene these days, which is a damning indictment of the administrators running the sport.

Admittedly, Dear Reader, I have often opined about the unfortunate troubles facing some sports which have become largely stagnant in the country.

But I do so for a few vital reasons even if at times it may seem as if I’m going on and on about the same issue ad nauseam.

One reason is that if we do not try to address the failings confronting struggling sports,  we will be denying ourselves the golden opportunity to see sportsmen who may have innate talents for the sports in question.

To go even further, such sportsmen may even have the abundant potential to excel on the international stage but they are being robbed of the opportunity to do so as a result of our gross neglect of these ailing sports.

Another wholly frustrating thing about such crisis-ridden sports is the disappointing fact that few stakeholders set the alarm bells ringing about the predicaments facing these sports.

It is hoped then that in the fullness of time, struggling sports like table tennis and badminton will receive the attention they so sorely deserve on the home front.

Let us now switch our focus to mull over this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is set to take center stage come July 20.

Indeed, the football showpiece event has been billed as the biggest Women’s World Cup ever and it is likely to be the most entertaining football spectacle of the whole year to boot.

From an African viewpoint, we shall be zeroing in on the fortunes of our four representatives who are reigning African champions South Africa, perennial heavyweights Nigeria, as well as the debutants Zambia and Morocco, who have enjoyed a meteoric rise to the pinnacle of continental women’s football.

Indeed, it should be recalled that Morocco dazzlingly finished as runners-up to South Africa in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) last year.

Having said that though, the Atlas Lionesses (Morocco’s nickname) are likely to face a baptism of fire in the World Cup since they will be making their maiden appearance at the competition.

In a group made up of giants Germany, improving Colombia, and small-fry South Korea, Morocco is likely to face their toughest test when squaring off against Teutonic might.

As for the Super Falcons of Nigeria, who will be jockeying for top honors in Group B, certainly, the other teams in this pool who are co-hosts Australia, the unheralded Republic of Ireland, and powerhouse Canada will strain every sinew to clip the wings of Super Falcons.

Meanwhile, in Group C which consists of the dominant Spain, the erstwhile world champions Japan and minnows Costa Rica, the debutants Zambia have their work cut out for them.

And finally, the reigning African champions South Africa will determinedly head into the battle awaiting them in Group G, which is made up of Sweden, Italy, and Argentina.

On the whole, despite the obvious perils that they will undoubtedly face, one still feels sanguine that a few of our African teams at the World Cup will be able to put their best foot forward at the eagerly anticipated football extravaganza.