Loi out to emulate dad’s table tennis exploits

 By PETER SEVARA JR

YOUNG Geoffrey Loi (pictured) follows in the footsteps of his father as he attends an elite table tennis training camp in Singapore.

The 13-year-old actually continues the family tradition of being stars in the sport in Papua New Guinea. 

His father, David Rea Loi was the former PNG table tennis champion 18 times before his other son, David Loi snatched the title off him for only a season only to be dethroned by their youngest sibling, 13-year-old Geoffrey.

Yesterday around 3pm in the afternoon, the shy lad, was accompanied by elder brother David, mother Dela and father Rea Loi to the Jacksons Airport before he flew out. 

The three-week camp is from January 10-24 at the Singapore Sports School. 

Geoffrey was selected after attending a selection camp in New Caledonia to attend the elite camp representing Papua New Guinea under the Oceania banner. The Tubuserea lad is ranked number one in the sport in the country, according to PNG Table Tennis president Moses Tolingling.

There are four siblings in the family who are into table tennis, including two elder girls who are also the women’s champions in the sport.