Monrovia – The President of the Liberia National Table Tennis Association (LNTTA), Mr. G. Gbassay Golee, has returned to Liberia after participating in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Annual General Assembly held in Bangkok, Thailand. This marked a significant milestone as it was Liberia’s first participation in the event in over two and a half decades.
By A. Macaulay Sombai, [email protected]
Mr. Golee expressed his enthusiasm about Liberia’s return to the international table tennis stage, emphasizing his commitment to this achievement during his election campaign. He stated, “For too long, we have been absent from the ITTF Annual General Assembly due to unpaid dues, which resulted in the loss of our voting rights. I promised Liberia and the table tennis community that I would restore Liberia’s presence on the international stage, and my participation in the recent ITTF Annual General Assembly is a step towards fulfilling that promise.”
He further revealed that the LNTTA had taken substantial steps to rectify their financial obligations by clearing all outstanding dues, consequently reinstating their international standing and voting rights within the ITTF.
“Our participation in the ITTF Annual General Assembly was highly rewarding as our voting rights were reinstated. We actively participated in discussions about important matters, including the selection of the next World Championship host and the venue for the next ITTF Annual General Assembly. Additionally, we successfully advocated for Liberia and our association. As of September 14, I will be in Tunisia to attend the African Assembly of Table Tennis Association Summit,” Mr. Golee added.
Mr. Golee also shared plans for the future, noting that the ITTF had approved the dispatch of a trainer to Liberia within the next month to conduct international courses for coaches and players. Furthermore, initiatives to identify and nurture table tennis talent within Liberia are set to commence in November 2023, with the acquisition of essential equipment such as table tennis boards among other enhancements.
Liberia’s return to the international table tennis community marks a significant achievement for the LNTTA under Mr. G. Gbassay Golee’s leadership, opening doors for greater participation and growth in the sport within the country.