The women's table tennis team of the Republic of Congo has surprised the African insiders in the ninth All-Africa Games by defeating Nigeria 3-1.

An official of the International Table Tennis Federation(ITTF) on Sunday attributed the victory to new ideas brought by Chinese coaches to the African continent.

Kahled El-Salhy, chairman of the ITTF Calendar Working Group, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview that the Republic of Congo should have a better chance to win if they were not delayed to participate in the competition.

"Chinese coaches told them how to run the table tennis. That is not only about technology but also related to mental work to play ping pong," El-Salhy said, adding that "it is quite new for Africa."

Yang Fen, former coach of the Republic of Congo, said she had taught the girls for a whole year since 2005. After that other Chinese coaches also came to nurture them.

"Team members used to regard table tennis as a means to make fun and seek health. They took part in international contests just as participants. With the guidance of Chinese coaches, the team members began to focus on learning Chinese technologies and tactics and made tremendous progress," said Yang who used to be a professional player of Shanghai team.

In the first stage of All-Africa Games's table tennis women team event, the Republic of Congo became the first beating Nigeria who has dominated the African table tennis for the past two decades.

Unfortunately, as they missed the first two matches on July 12 and just arrived on July 13 by flight, their final stand fell to the ninth.

Table tennis competition of the games takes place between July 12 and 22.
 
(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2007)