East London’s top table tennis umpire Tiffany Adams is in Queensland, Australia as she prepares to umpire at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, with the action officially getting under way today.
It will be Adams’ first appearance at the Commonwealth Games and she is excited for the two-week event.
“For me to be chosen to be a technical official at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is a huge achievement in my table tennis career, as I will be representing the country there in Australia and not just our province,” said Adams.
“Also only international umpires have been selected for this event and because I am an international umpire I am really proud of myself.”
There will be about 50 to 60 umpires officiating at this year’s Games, coming from all the Commonwealth countries including Canada, Nigeria, India, Singapore, Ghana, England, Uganda and others.
Adams is, however, no stranger to umpiring in international events, having officiated at a world championship tournament in Germany last year, and she will now look to take that experience into the Commonwealth Games.
“My first big achievement was when I umpired at the World Senior Championships in Germany last year in May, witnessing the world’s best table tennis players in action,” said Adams.
“My Commonwealth Games selection as technical official will be a major boost for me, as it is the first time that I will be umpiring at a Commonwealth Games.
“With it being the second biggest sporting event in the world, just short of the Olympics, I am really honoured to have reached this level, especially being selected to go and represent South Africa there.”
Adams is currently based back in East London after a year abroad, and she will be back once the games have ended and will be here for the foreseeable future.
“I am now back in East London after spending a year in Germany as a provincial sports ambassador,” said Adams.
“I plan to still stay on here but I will definitely grab opportunities to umpire overseas with both hands in the future.”
However, she will first be looking to gain experience from this year’s Games and continue to grow as an international umpire.
“What I’m looking forward to the most at the Games is the overall experience of being in another continent. I have travelled in Europe extensively between 2016 and 2017, so this change is good for me and really something to look forward to, and also learning much more from experienced umpires,” said Adams.
“It will be a great sight to witness top table tennis players in action.”
Looking on to later in the year, Adams has some more big events coming up and she will hope to use those opportunities to keep moving her towards her main goal.
“I look forward to officiating at the Youth Olympics and ultimately at the actual Olympics in years to come,” said Adams.
Being an inspiration to other girls and women is also a big part of what Adams hopes to achieve in the future.
“My future plans include promoting women in sport and focusing primarily on girls to form girls’ clubs.
“I would also like to become a motivational speaker at schools, colleges and universities and sports groups to share with people about my experiences and how the sport has brought me thus far.
“With this in mind, I can continue to be an ambassador for the province and country, and also inspire all, especially women.”
Tiffany in hot seat as umpire at Games
It will be Adams’ first appearance at the Commonwealth Games and she is excited for the two-week event.
“For me to be chosen to be a technical official at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is a huge achievement in my table tennis career, as I will be representing the country there in Australia and not just our province,” said Adams.
“Also only international umpires have been selected for this event and because I am an international umpire I am really proud of myself.”
There will be about 50 to 60 umpires officiating at this year’s Games, coming from all the Commonwealth countries including Canada, Nigeria, India, Singapore, Ghana, England, Uganda and others.
Adams is, however, no stranger to umpiring in international events, having officiated at a world championship tournament in Germany last year, and she will now look to take that experience into the Commonwealth Games.
“My first big achievement was when I umpired at the World Senior Championships in Germany last year in May, witnessing the world’s best table tennis players in action,” said Adams.
“My Commonwealth Games selection as technical official will be a major boost for me, as it is the first time that I will be umpiring at a Commonwealth Games.
“With it being the second biggest sporting event in the world, just short of the Olympics, I am really honoured to have reached this level, especially being selected to go and represent South Africa there.”
Adams is currently based back in East London after a year abroad, and she will be back once the games have ended and will be here for the foreseeable future.
“I am now back in East London after spending a year in Germany as a provincial sports ambassador,” said Adams.
“I plan to still stay on here but I will definitely grab opportunities to umpire overseas with both hands in the future.”
However, she will first be looking to gain experience from this year’s Games and continue to grow as an international umpire.
“What I’m looking forward to the most at the Games is the overall experience of being in another continent. I have travelled in Europe extensively between 2016 and 2017, so this change is good for me and really something to look forward to, and also learning much more from experienced umpires,” said Adams.
“It will be a great sight to witness top table tennis players in action.”
Looking on to later in the year, Adams has some more big events coming up and she will hope to use those opportunities to keep moving her towards her main goal.
“I look forward to officiating at the Youth Olympics and ultimately at the actual Olympics in years to come,” said Adams.
Being an inspiration to other girls and women is also a big part of what Adams hopes to achieve in the future.
“My future plans include promoting women in sport and focusing primarily on girls to form girls’ clubs.
“I would also like to become a motivational speaker at schools, colleges and universities and sports groups to share with people about my experiences and how the sport has brought me thus far.
“With this in mind, I can continue to be an ambassador for the province and country, and also inspire all, especially women.”
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