Ghana’s number one table tennis player, James Marfo, is set to take a major step in his career as he heads to France for a one-year professional training programme at the Hennebont Table Tennis Centre, alongside participation in the French league.
Marfo, who was named the 2025 Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Table Tennis Player of the Year, will use the opportunity to sharpen his technical skills, gain international experience and compete in a demanding European environment as he seeks to reach the next level of his career.
Ahead of his departure, key figures in Ghanaian table tennis have congratulated the player and urged him to remain disciplined, humble and committed to making the most of the opportunity.
GTTA Chairman Urges Marfo to Make Every Investment Count
Chairman of the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Mawuko Afadzinu, has encouraged Marfo to view the opportunity as a stepping stone to greater achievements, emphasising the importance of hard work, humility and dedication.
Afadzinu shared the advice during a visit by a delegation from the KIDSFORKIDS FOUNDATION, which included Marfo, Ishmael Abraham Armah and John Baiden.
The visit provided Marfo with an opportunity to personally thank the GTTA chairman for his support, encouragement and contribution to his development.
“Let this opportunity awaken you to greater possibilities. Always remember where you are coming from and let that be a source of inspiration as you pursue your purpose,” Afadzinu advised.
He further encouraged Marfo to remain focused on his ambitions, noting that strong performances and continued development could open doors to opportunities with clubs in other established European table tennis leagues, including Portugal and Germany.
The GTTA chairman also highlighted the significant investment behind the opportunity and urged the player to ensure that the resources committed to his development yielded meaningful results.
“This is indeed a blessed opportunity, and it has come with significant investment. Let every penny count,” he added.
Manager Reflects on Years of Commitment and Sacrifice
Marfo’s manager, Michael Danquah, described the impending move as the culmination of years of commitment, sacrifice and belief in the player’s potential.
He expressed pride in Marfo’s progress and acknowledged the coaches, institutions and individuals whose contributions have helped shape the player’s career.
Danquah particularly recognised Blackstone, Marfo’s first coach in Ghana, and his personal coach, Ebenezer Whyte, for laying the technical foundations for his development.
He also acknowledged the support of the GTTA under Afadzinu’s leadership and the Ghana Immigration Service Table Tennis Team, which Marfo represents, for providing opportunities and a platform for his continued growth.
Other contributors included Coach Aileru Ganiyu Fola and Ude Sports Limited, who supported Marfo’s recent training experience in Nigeria, as well as the company’s chairman, Ude Uche Dominic.
For Danquah, the move to France represents both a personal milestone for Marfo and an example of what sustained investment in sporting talent can achieve.
“As his manager, I have devoted considerable time, energy and resources to this journey because I have always believed in what James could become,” he said.
He added that the opportunity was significant not only for Marfo but also for the KIDSFORKIDS FOUNDATION and Ghanaian table tennis.
Danquah urged the player to remain grounded and committed to continuous improvement, stressing that the move marked the beginning of another phase of hard work rather than the end of his journey.
“This is not the destination. Remain humble, stay disciplined, keep learning and work harder than ever. Make every opportunity and every investment in you count,” he advised.
GTTA Technical Director Calls for Greater Investment in Young Talent
GTTA Technical Director Charles Tachie-Menson also welcomed Marfo’s opportunity to train and compete professionally in France, describing it as a positive development for both the player and Ghanaian table tennis.
He commended Danquah for his vision and commitment to Marfo’s development, describing his efforts as an example of how individuals can help create pathways for talented athletes to progress internationally.
Tachie-Menson also acknowledged the contribution of the GTTA under Afadzinu’s leadership and encouraged other individuals and organisations with the capacity to support young athletes to follow similar initiatives.
He noted that Ghana possesses considerable sporting talent that requires the right combination of vision, commitment and investment to reach its full potential.
“Our beloved country, Ghana, is blessed with an abundance of sporting talent waiting to be discovered, developed, and given the opportunity to shine,” he said.
He expressed hope that Marfo’s journey would inspire greater investment in the development of young table tennis players across the country.
A New Chapter for Marfo and Ghanaian Table Tennis
As Marfo prepares to begin his training programme in France, the message from Ghana’s table tennis leadership and those who have supported his development remains consistent: the opportunity must be matched by discipline, dedication and a determination to improve.
The one-year programme at the Hennebont Table Tennis Centre, coupled with competition in the French league, will give the Ghanaian player an important platform to develop his game, broaden his experience and pursue further opportunities on the international stage.
For Ghanaian table tennis, his journey also highlights the role of committed coaches, managers, institutions and administrators in helping athletes progress beyond the domestic scene.
The challenge now lies with Marfo to make the most of his European experience, continue his upward progression and inspire other young Ghanaian players to pursue their ambitions.
