Table Tennis

Brief History of Ethiopian Table Tennis Federation

When and how table tennis introduced to Ethiopia is not exactly known. But some sources confirm that the game was played at the time of Emperor Menilik II, 100 years back, by foreigners.

At the time of emperor Haileselassie table tennis was played in Schools and university campuses. But by then the game was seen as entertainment rather than competitive sports.

Table tennis acquired an improved level after the Italians brief occupation.

The YMCA helped accelerate the popularity of the game in Addis Ababa and in some parts the country. There was no international competition until the first National team participates in the first Afro-Asia Games staged in Beijing, China in 1971. That was indeed a land mark for the advance of the games.

The establishment of the Ethiopian Table Tennis Federation in January 1972 brought further progress for the game. A year later Ethiopia became a member of the African Table Tennis Federation and International Table Tennis Federation.

Best results achieved by Ethiopian Table Tennis Federation in International Championship

1.       East and Central Africa championship 1984 Zanzibar, Tanzania

·         Women’s Team Gold Medals

·         Men’s Team Gold Medals.

·         Women’s Team Cup Winner

·         Men’s Team Cup Winner

·         Men’s Single Gold Medal, Silver Medal

·         Women’s Single Gold Medal, Silver Medal, and Bronze Medal

2. East and Central Africa championship 1995 Addis   Ababa, Ethiopia

·         Women’s Team Gold Medals

·         Men’s Team Gold Medals

·         Women’s Team Cup Winner

·         Men’s Team Cup Winner

·         Men’s Single Gold Medal, Silver Medal

·         Women’s Single Gold Medal, Bronze Medal

3. The 12th All African Championships 1996 Nairobi, Kenya

·         Women’s Team Silver Medal

·         Men’s Team Bronze medal

4. The 13th All African Championships 1998 Mauritius, Port Luis

·         Women’s Team Bronze Medals

5. The 14th All African Championship 2000 Addis   Ababa, Ethiopia

·         Women’s Team Silver Medal

·         Men’s Team Silver Medal

·         Women’s Single Silver Medal

6. The 7th All African Games 2003 South African, Jhonse Burg

·         Women team Bronze Medals.

7. The 16th All African Championships 2004 Mauritius, Port Luis

·         Women’s Team Silver Medal

·         Men’s Team Bronze Medal

·         Women’s doubles Silver Medal