MTTA aims even higher

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SPORTS POWER HOUSE: MTTA president, Tan Sri Datuk Jimmy Lau presenting the Tan Sri Datuk Jimmy Lau Challenge Trophy to committee member, Andy Chang accompanied by championship chief coordinator Desmond Yap.

MIRI: Miri Table Tennis Association (MTTA) is targeting to be the state’s next table tennis power house in three to five years time.

“Kuching has always been the power house in table tennis…it is tough for us to overtake them but we are giving ourselves three to five years time to achieve our goal” MTTA’s Vice President, Lo Su Onn said.

According to him, Miri’s table tennis standard had improved tremendously in recent years and it had closely trailed Kuching by capturing five gold, five silver and eight bronze during last year’s Sarawak Inter Division Table Tennis Championship.

On another note, the association is also organizing the MTTA Handicap Table Tennis championship which is being held on every Friday evening at the MTTA Training Centre of Piasau Business Park, Miri.

The event was first mooted by a group of enthusiasts headed by Desmond Yap in June 2009 as one of the avenues scout for talents.

Meanwhile, Lo said the handicap competition is open to all interested parties and is held on every Friday evening at the MTTA Table Tennis Training Centre in Piasau Business Park (Next to New Nikko Japanese Restaurant).

He added that the weekly competition is keenly contested among local paddlers and helping MTTA to produce a national youth player, Sheryn Yong and at least 18 other state players.

They are Lee Wei Hang, Lee Soo Han, Ko Wei Hong, Yap Khai Soon, Alex Lo, Ling Chin Sing, Calvin Chieng , Sii Hoe Hong, Fernando Joseph Yiek, Aaron Han, Foo Wui Jia, Catherine Chan, Angel Chan, Carmen Yiek, Foo Wui Ying, Law Yee RouEsther Su and Yee Chuan Sheng.

“These are the products of our development programme” he said on the ongoing programme which has produced good players like Alex Lo, Ling Chin Sing, Calvin Chieng and Foo Wui Jia who will represent Sarawak in the 32nd Malaysia Milo Youth Championship 2012 in OCM Kuala Lumpur from May 27 to 30.

“The event is a very good avenue for the young to nurture their game skills as well as for the more established players to take up the challenge” said Loh o the event which has a nominal entrance fee of RM10 per player.

On the average about 30 players age between 7 to 65 are taking part in the competition which offers prize money of between RM40 and RM80 with medals are also awarded to the winners.

According to Lo, the champion will receive the Tan Sri Datuk Jimmy Lau Challenge Trophy sponsored by the association’s president.

He thanked everyone including MTTA committee members, parents and players for their cooperation and commitment to make the tournament a success.