SIBU: A total of 118 paddlers, including two from Peninsular Malaysia, have confirmed participation in the Sibu Open Table Tennis Championship, slated to be held here on August 31 and September 1.
Event organising chairman Desmond Ling described the overwhelming response as a big breakthrough becauese this was the first time that the number of entries had hit the century mark.
The championship is divided into Men’s and Ladies’ Open and Boys and Girls C categories.
The Men’s Open category attracted 39 players while 11 paddlers will battle it out in the Ladies’ Open. For Boys Category C, there were 48 entries and 20 entries for the Girls Category C.
Ling said this was also the first time they managed to attract two players from the Peninsular Malaysia and they would surely generate interest in the competition.
Former national player Kho Moh Seng, a former national youth player and several state players had also confirmed participation.
Besides, the tournament has also attracted 27 players from Miri, 34 from Samarahan, and seven from Bintulu.
“This is a big breakthrough and we are encouraged and overwhelmed with the great response. Hopefully, table tennis fans will turn up in full force to watch the match unfolded,” said Ling.
The championship will be played in three sessions with the first session starting at 8.30am on August 31 and the second session at 2pm while the third session is at 9am on September 1.
Sibu Ping Pong Association president Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming will officiate at the closing ceremony at 11am.