The South African Table Tennis Board unveiled Takuma, as the official mascot for the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals, which will take place in Durban from 20-28 May 2023.
Speaking in the official statement, ITTF President Petra Sörling said: “We are thrilled to see the unveiling of Takuma as the official mascot for the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2023. Mascots have a special ability to engage and excite audiences, especially younger fans, and we believe that Takuma will serve as a great ambassador for table tennis in South Africa and around the world. We hope that Takuma’s presence will help us to attract more young people to the sport and inspire a new generation of table tennis players.”
The mascot was designed by 13-year-old Tumelo Nkoana, who hails from Mogogelo Village north of Pretoria in South Africa. Nkoana’s design beat 182 other entrants.
Takuma represents not only the event but also the creativity and talent of South Africa’s youth.
“Takuma’s story is a testament to the power of creativity and imagination in shaping our world,” added Sörling.
The hippopotamus symbolises strength and abundance in African culture, and Takuma will be used to create excitement and increase team spirit and morale before and during the tournament.
With the unveiling of Takuma, excitement is building as we near the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals, the first time the event will be held in Africa in 84 years.
Photo 1 Caption: The South African Table Tennis Board have unveiled Takuma, as the official mascot for the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals, which will take place in Durban from 20-28 May 2023. Photo: ittf.com (website)
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