MUSCAT: The Oman Table Tennis Association (OTTA) is all set for seven days of thrilling action when the 2023 Muscat WTT Contender event will kick off on Sunday in the presence of top paddlers across the world. Nearly 150 paddlers representing 34 countries will take part in the tournament which will begin on Thursday with preliminary qualifications for men’s singles, and women’s singles.
All the logistics and technical arrangements are arranged as the competitions will begin on Sunday at the indoor hall of the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex. The hall is set with four main tables that will featured four matches at the same time beside two warm-up areas for the paddlers ahead of their competition start.
The event will offer a total cash prize of $75,000 in five different disciplines including men’s and women’s singles and doubles besides the mixed doubles.
Six paddlers from Oman will represent the hosts in this top-class event namely Muhannad al Balushi, Asaad al Raisi, Ahmed al Riyami, Badar al Jassasi, Mohammed al Mutawa, and Loqman al Farsi.
In the Men’s singles qualification, Oman’s Muhannad al Balushi will meet Huang Yan-cheng from Chinese Taipei in round two while Asad al Raisi will take on Li Hon Ming from Hong Kong in round one. Mohammed al Mutawa will face Chan Baldwin from Hong Kong in round one while Ahmed al Riyami will meet Pau Yik Man from Hong Kong. Loqman al Farsi will play against Bence Majoros Hungary. The playing system of all singles matches will be on knockout stages format as the winner from the round will move to round two and then three. Later on, the winner from all three rounds will secure a slot in the main draw.
Peter Bohumsky from Czech is the chief referee while four external umpires from Egypt, Iran, and Bahrain will officiate in the tournament beside many of the international umpires from Oman will be part of the officiating team.
This is the third appearance of WTT Contender events in Muscat after two successful outings in March and September 2022.
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