2015-07-15Staff Report 2 Walvis Bay Heiko Fleidl (SKW) defeated Reinhardt Stanley (Hochland Acers) 4-0 in the men’s final of the Namibian Table Tennis Open, which was held for the first time in Walvis Bay. The prestigious tournament was jointly organised by the Namibian Table Tennis Association (NTTA) and the Walvis Bay Table Tennis Club (WBTTC) and hosted at the Indoor Sport Complex on Saturday. Fleidl was on top of his game and scored 11-8, 11-9, 11-9 and 11-8 for his hard earned victory in the best out of seven set final. The Plate final was won by Darren Strauss from Swakopmund. Reese Saunderson (Hochland Acers) defeated Bregida George (Eliminators) 4-2 in the ladies final. George won the 1st set (12-10) and the 5th set (11-7). Saunderson launched a firm comeback and pocketed the 2nd set (11-8), the 3rd set (11-2) and the 6th set (11-8). Kaitlyn Beukes (Eliminators) and Fleidl defeated Bregida George & Wayne Green 4-2 in the mixed doubles section. Derrick Rooza (Walvis Bay) and Reinhardt Stanley defeated Reinolt Schurz and Fleidl 4-2 in the men’s doubles. The women’s draw accommodated eight players and the men’s draw twenty players. The tournament also had an international presence in the shape of Jaco de Swardt from the University of Stellenbosch. Ladies Open Plate Division winner Bronwyn van Heerden (11) from Narraville Primary School was the youngest participant. Walvis Bay mayor Uillika Nambahu, who officially opened the event, thanked the organisers and described sport as an important vehicle for social interaction. She further encouraged parents to ensure that children compete in sports. “Table tennis tests human limits such as physical strength, hand eye coordination and reflexes which in turn reduces the prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension,” she said. “A lack of physical activity coupled with the consumption of high-energy foods contributes to obesity and unfitness and this is made worse by the availability of virtual gaming units and devices, which prevent active participation and competitiveness in sports,” she added. The Namibia Table Tennis Association development officer Roger Beukes announced that a similar tournament will be hosted in Mariental on July 18 and encouraged coastal players to enter. 2015-07-15Staff Report 2
