South Africa Unveils Takuma, the Official Mascot of Durban 2023 World Table Tennis Championships
The 2023 World Table Tennis Championships will be held in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. It will be the 57th edition of World Table Tennis Championships.
It will be the first such event to be held in Africa since 1939 Championship held in Egypt.
Ahead of the 57th edition of World Table Tennis Championship to be hosted by South Africa, the South African Table Tennis Board (SATTB) on Monday, 27th March, 2023 unveiled the official Mascot called Takuma.
The beautiful ceremony took place place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Takuma was designed by Tumelo Nkoana, a 13-year-old from Mogogelo Village North of Pretroia in South Africa. Nkoana submitted a hand-me-downsn entry of a hippo to illustrate the strength of South Africa as part of a Nationwide competition and the beat 182 other entrants from other schools to be selected as the official Mascot tournament. The hippopotamus is an important culture symbol in South Africa and seen as a symbol of strength and abundance.
Subsequent, Takuma has become the mascot for all sport in South Africa, the Sports Ministry has announced, Takuma has therefore been selected as the mascot to represent the World Table Tennis Championship which be held in May in South Africa.
Takuma will be used in all the proposed marketing communications activations relating to the 2023 World Table Tennis Championship Finals because a mascot at a sports event can be used to provide entertainment, create a sense of unity, and support team spirit.
Mascot like Takuma can help to engage tge audience, build national pride and create a memorable experience for fans. In additional, Mascots can help to create a strong bond between the event and fans , making it more likely that fans will continue to support the sport.
Takuma will be used to help to create excitement, increase fans engagement and build team spirit and morale before and during the 2023 World Table Tennis Championship Finals. Takuma will be also be used to attract new fans and increase team visibility in the Local Durban Community. Additional, Takuma will also be use to promote team sponsors, merchandise, and other marketing activities.
The 2023 World Table Tennis Championship is scheduled from Saturday, May 20, 2023 to May 28, 2023 in South Africa.
