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By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter
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A total of 10 teams will be competing in the inter-expats table tennis tournament set for August 30 at the Qatar Bowling Centre in Doha.
One group is composed of Egyptian players while Indian paddlers have also formed their own team - the Indian Warriors. Members of the eight other teams are mostly Filipinos.
“This will be our first team event and I believe it will be an exciting tournament here in Qatar,” said Jay Ballesca, president of the Filipino Table Tennis Association (FTTA).
He said they got a good response from the players and some companies which also formed their respective teams.
Lebanese players failed to make it to the tournament since most of them are on vacation.
Four Korean expatriates also wanted to join the one-day competition but would not be able to make it.
“They have an important appointment on August 30. They told me they will join future tournaments of FTTA,” said Ballesca.
He stressed that the organising committee was only targeting eight teams but many players responded to the invitation. “They have been practicing in QBC in the past weeks.”
For the elimination round, the 10 teams are divided into two brackets and will play a single round robin. Two teams with the most number of wins from each bracket will play for the semi-finals.
Ballesca said each team is composed of one Class A, two Class B players and one Class C or an alternate player. Some teams can also have female members.
FTTA is planning to organise an inter-company tournament this year.
“We are targeting more than 12 teams in that event and I believe those who failed to join now could play on that event,” he said.
The group has recently concluded a friendly competition in QBC participated by 52 paddlers from various expatriate communities in Qatar. It included Egyptian, Syrian, Indian and Lebanese players.
Like in other GCC countries, FTTA also wants to popularise the game in Qatar especially to Filipinos through regular competitions and sport clinics. Members often hold their practice sessions every Friday in the morning or in the evening.
“We are inviting children and those who want to learn this sport,” said Ballesca. A separate committee was formed to train new members and beginners.
There are no comments.
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