By Michael Uugwanga

ONE of the country’s most exciting female table tennis players, Lian Gebauer is heading to Tunisia to take part in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Senior Championship, from 12 October to 19 October. The 16 year-old has always been on top of her game whenever representing the country at any international competition, with the ITTF Senior Championship not expected to be different to her as far success is concern. 

Speaking to Confidente this week, ahead of the ITTF Senior Championship, Gebauer said the aim is to try and get into a top four finish, so that she qualify to the Senior World Championship next year.

The sport of table tennis might not be one of the biggest sport codes in the country, but with talented and exciting players like Gebauer, is surely growing and it is just a matter of time before it becomes one of the leading codes in the country. “It such an honour and I have also worked very hard to get selected to play in Tunisia. I will be flying to Tunisia 11, with the competition taking place in the capital city Tunis. October.

If I make it to the top four I will be selected to take part in the Senior World Championship that will be held in London, England. Therefore I am hoping to get out of the group stages so that I not only play once, but more, plus I am really practicing hard to accomplish that,” said Gebuaer.

Gebuaer’s selection to the ITTF Senior Championship was based on her ranking, after a good showing this year in various international competitions.

The ITTF Senior Championship will be contested by table tennis players from countries such as host Tunisia, Egypt, South Africa, Benin, Nigeria and many others.

“Training has been good as I have been hard in training at home. I am selected based on my rankings points on the ITTF Africa rankings,” said Gebauer.