TABLE Tennis Association of the Philippines is holding two major international events and a celebrity tournament this year as it steps up efforts to bring the sport closer to a wider audience.
The Tatap leadership said the country will host the Southeast Asian Table Tennis juniors championships from July 11 to 15 and the 9th Minzhi Cup international tournament in Lapu Lapu City from November 15 to 19.
Tatap will also hold the 1st Pinoy Idol Table Tennis Championships at Robinson’s Manila where celebrities from the country's major television networks will be invited.
“We want to generate interest and have the sport take its rightful place in the Philippines,” said Tatap secretary general Annie Andanar in a simple press conference held at the Philsports complex in Pasig City where she presented the plans and programs of the association.
“It is our way of generating interest in table tennis,” Andanar added.
Tatap president Ting Ledesma said that the sport is definitely fit for the Filipino.
“Kami ay naka-focus kung paano pasikatin ang table tennis,” Ledesma said. “Bagay sa Filipino at hindi pinag-uusapan ang age. We need to promote and develop the sport.”
Tatap also staged a tournament organization course where no less than Southeast Asian Table Tennis Association (Seatta) secretary general Chan Foong Keong was on hand to share his expertise in holding tournaments.
“I’m here to share my experience,” Chan said. “I’m not here to teach but share my knowledge of what is the best way to organize not only the Seatta juniors championships but also other projects of Tatap.”
The seminar will run until February 24.
The national team also lined up to compete in the World Table Tennis Championships in Paris from May 13 to 20.
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