Laos gears up to host Asian junior table tennis championships

Lao junior table tennis players are training in Vientiane for the 26th Asian Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships, which will take place in the city from September 1-6.

The table tennis competition organising committee meets at the National Olympic Committee of Laos’ office on Wednesday.  --Photo Sports Daily News

The championship will raise Laos’ profile on the international sports stage and help to improve the skills of Lao Table Tennis Federation staff.
It will also be an excellent opportunity for Laos’ junior players to test their skills and gain more match experience.
The competition organising committee’s members met on Wednesday to discuss preparations for the event, welcome receptions for teams from other countries, transport and security arrangements, and the opening and closing ceremonies. 
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Ms Khanthaly Siriphongphanh.
Lao players will take part in 10 events and, as Laos is the host country, are not required to compete in the qualifying round.
However, the Lao Table Tennis Federation is struggling to find sufficient female players to compete in the U-19 category. 
The players are training hard in anticipation of some tough matches and began practising in earnest two months ago. For the past two weeks they have been under the tutelage of a Vietnamese coach.
The Asian Table Tennis Union and other organisations will provide cash prizes and equipment worth more than 2 billion kip for the championships.
More than 200 players from 20 countries will compete in 11 events.
Junior players will compete in the U-15 category (boys’ and girls’ singles, boys’ and girls’ team events) and the U-19 category (boys’ and girls’ singles and doubles, mixed, boys’ and girls’ team, and girls’ team events).
Matches will take place at the ITECC Mall in Vientiane. The winners, and those placed second and third in each category, will be given medals.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update August 25, 2022)