Ajit John
PANJIM: The good infrastructure available in the State coupled with the fact Goa has organised several international tournaments besides four nationals helped the organisers to select the state as the host for the World Table Tennis Star Contender.
The tournament will be marked by the presence of reigning Olympic champions Ma Long and Chen Meng of China in the men’s and women’s section, respectively, who will be among the big names that have confirmed their entries.
Vero Nunes, President, Goa Table Tennis Association said, “The fact that Goa was known as a tourist destination around the world also helped in this decision.”
“The event was conceived by the commercial wing of the International Table Tennis Federation. They promote players to participate around the world and increase the popularity of the sport,” Nunes said.
Table Tennis Federation of India is the supporting partner. Goa as part of the TTFI will provide technical support.
Besides two-time Olympic champion Ma Long, China’s Fan Zhendong, the World No. 1, will also be seen in action in the men’s singles event.
Nunes revealed that the event be a ticketed one and will be held at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium at Bambolim.
“Goa is open to hosting international tournaments though at the moment there is nothing more on the horizon,” stated the GTTA president.
India’s challenge will be led by seasoned table tennis player Sharath Kamal. Sathiyan Gnansekaran and Manika Batra have also confirmed their entries for the Goa competition. In the women’s singles draw, besides Chen, China’s Sun Yingsha and Japan’s Hina Hayata will also be seen in action.
As per the official entry of the world governing body in table tennis, Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa, who is world number eight in the women’s singles event, will also compete in Goa. Sreeja Akula, the reigning national women’s singles and doubles champion, will also compete in the qualifiers.
