Hot shot table tennis players from Ernest Bevin College took top honours in one category and featured in two more at the Jack Petchey London Schools’ Table Tennis Team Finals held on Saturday 14th January held at the SportsDock at the University of East London.

The competition bought together 188 players making up 41 teams from 29 schools from across London competing in four age groups Boys and Girls under 11, 13, 16 and 19. Ernest Bevin College took the Under-16 Boys’ title but not before a superb semi-final in which they needed countback to see off Burlington Danes Academy from Hammersmith & Fulham.

Trailing 3-1 and 4-3, Howard Onweng won the crucial match to make it 4-4 with Ernest Bevin winning by 16 sets to 14 on countback. The final was more straightforward as they defeated Southwark’s Sacred Heart Catholic College 5-1.

The team was Zion Boumpoutou 16, Joel Attah, Adam Benmohamed, Howard Onweng all 14 and Nahom Gottom 13. The College won the boys U-13 title last year with some of these players but for this team it was their first win.

Adam said “We like winning and feel good about taking another title. A great competition and we will be back next year”

The College could only manage second place in the Boys U13 category losing 5-3 to Hampstead’s University College school. The team Benjamin Boutrolle, Jeremiah Prempeh, Abdul-Azeez Hameed, all 12 and Kamal Annich 13.

In the Boys U19 category the College managed third place with the team Kudjo Kpordje 18, Romanie Hylton, Bejay Arjan both16, David McKenzie 14 and Kagethan Kanthakumar 14.

Winners and runners up of this competition go forward to play in the English Schools’ Table Tennis Association Regional finals in March.

The Jack Petchey Schools’ Table Tennis programme is aimed at increasing participation and awareness of table tennis in schools and youth clubs in London and Essex. It includes: London and Essex Schools Championships, team and individual. Donation of tables (indoor and outdoor) with equipment to secondary schools in London and Essex. Four table tennis Academies in London and one in Essex. Donation of table and equipment to youth clubs in London. Since the start of the programme in 2011, 1598 table tennis tables have been donated to 358 secondary schools and colleges in London and Essex.

The Individual regional competitions get underway this month with the final again being held at UEL. Table tennis double team Paralympian bronze medal winner Aaron McKibbin attended the event and was kept busy in the coaching zone.

Aaron, from Wandsworth, won bronze medals at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 games in the Men’s Team Class 6-8. Facing China for the final place on the podium in Rio, Aaron’s match went to a deciding rubber but it was McKibbin who held his nerves to ensure third spot for the GB team.

McKibbin, was born with bilateral talipes (club foot) and underwent corrective surgery soon after his birth. He enjoyed tennis until his teens but then fell in love with table tennis. He said “It’s a great sport and I’m very lucky to have the support that enables me to play at the top level. Sir Jack Petchey is giving so much to our sport and in turn bringing more people on board. Thanks Jack!”

Emily St John, Head of Development at Table Tennis England said “This has been another amazing day of table tennis and we thank the Jack Petchey Foundation for encouraging all these hugely energetic and enthusiastic players. This is the sixth year of the programme and since then over 40,000 school children have been able to access our sport. It’s a wonderful testimony for this partnership.”

Trudy Kilcullen MBE, Chief Executive Officer, the Jack Petchey Foundation said “We exist because we want to help young people achieve in life. I am so impressed by the young people I see at these finals. You are the best of the best and a delight to watch. We are proud of you and our partnership with Table Tennis England.”

Sir Jack Petchey, CBE, 91-year-old founder of the Jack Petchey Foundation is passionate about giving young people freedom and opportunity. “I’ve been a fan of table tennis since my own youth. It’s a fantastic sport and I am delighted to see this partnership develop with more young people from London and Essex taking part.”

For further information about the scheme visit http://www.jackpetcheytabletennis.org.uk

Based on information supplied by Christine Baker.