As many as 30 players are taking part in the national Junior Singles Table Tennis Championship which began on Thursday at the indoor halls of the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. The two days event, which is organised by Oman Table Tennis Association (OTTA), began with the preliminary rounds as the participated paddlers distributed into eight groups.
The top two winners from each group will advance into the finals which will be played in knockout stages. The participated clubs in the tournament namely: Ibri, Saham, Nakhl, Qurayat, Al Rustaq, Al Ittfaq, Salalah and Yanqul. Ahmed al Riyami was the last year Champion and Seeb club took the overall title in the junior category. The defending champion representing Ibri club in this edition of the tournament.
The first round matches of the preliminary round began late on Thursday and will continue earlier on Friday while the finals will take place late on Friday. The tournament is a vital opportunity for the coaching staff headed by coach Omid Shamasharbaki, head coach of the national team and Coach Fatemeh Kivani, head coach of women team to opt the most appropriate players for the national teams. Oman Table Tennis team will take part in the Asian Youth Table Tennis Championship which will be held in Qatar during July 17 to 22 and WTT Al Maty in Kazakhstan during July 25 to 28 beside Asian TT Championship for senior in Korea Republic in September.
Ahmed al Riyami from Ibri club won the title of the TT championship after he edged his team-mate Loqman al Farasi 3-1 in the final match. Turki al Abri from Ibri club also managed to clinch the title of the cadet TT championship as he defeated Nasser al Zaabi from Saham 3-0 in the concluding match in the last month.
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