MUSCAT: The Oman Table Tennis Association (OTTA) all set to kick off the Seniors National Table Tennis Championship for singles category, which will take place at the main hall of Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher from July 20 to 22. As many as 59 players will take part in the event. The participated paddlers will represent many local clubs namely: Ibri, Saham, Nakhal, Qurayat, Al Rustaq, Al Ittifaq, Salalah, Yanqul, Seeb, Mirbat, Al Suwaiq, Ahli Sidab, Masirah, Dhofar and Nizwa. This edition of the tournament will record tough contests among the paddlers who will fight to lift the title of one of the biggest local event.
The clubs are all set to compete as the paddlers went undergo warm up sessions and they are in proper shape to begin the matches. Many clubs signed new contracts with some national team players including Ibri club as they signed with former Saham player Nasser al Balushi to represent their club in this season. Haitham al Manthari will represent Saham beside the champion Muhanad al Balushi. Oman national team player Asad al Raisi is the key player in Seeb club beside the other paddlers from the rest of the participated teams.
The draw of the local event will take place on Thursday in presence of the team’s representatives. The three days event will be commenced by group stage matches as the participated players will be distributed into many groups. The topper from each group will advance to the finals which will be played in knockout stage. The initial group stage will start on Thursday and will run into Friday morning, while in the evening sessions the finals will kick off until Saturday.
The local event will be officiated by the first division and international umpires while Hashim al Salmi has been appointed as the chief umpire. Khalid al Zaabi is the tournament manager and Mohammed al Jassasi and Masoud al Shaqsi are in the organising committee of the tournament.
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