South Asian TT Championship in Sri Lanka

Anuradha ABEYSEKARA

The unveiling of the official logo for the South Asian Table Tennis Championships 2011 and launchof the official web site (www.sattc2011.com) for the championship took place during at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) recently. Deputy Transport Minister and President of the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL) Rohana Dissanayake chaired the ceremony and handed over the official letters to the Championship Organizing Committee members.

More than 150 players and officials from eight South Asian nations are expected to be here for the tournament which is to be held at the Jagath Rajapaksa International Indoor Stadium, Kandy from April 25 to 28. The theme of this year's championship is 'Building for success in unison as an elite sport". This will be the inaugural tournament of the new stadium which is a donation of ace Sri Lankan paddler Jagath Rajapaksa. He has been a professional coach for eighteen years in France and came to serve his motherland as the National TT coach.

Speaking on the occasion TTASL President Rohana Dissanayake said that after the dawn of peace in the country all other South Asian nations pledged their support to host this event and they are eager to come to this little paradise. "We can provide a better picture of our country to the world by hosting this event and with the opening of this international stadium a new chapter will open in the Sri Lankan TT history," said the Deputy Minister. He further assured the fullest support of the Government to host this event.

The Championship Organizing Committee Chairman Brig. Fazyl Meedin explained the Committee's responsibilities and objectives. "As Kandy holds a great historical value, the event will give a boost to tourism industry and promote Sri Lanka as a sports hub," said Meedin.

The National Coach Jagath Rajapaksa said our players will be a threat to any other country and our ten-member coaching panel is being working hard in leading our team to victory in the championship. In preparation for 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2020 Olympics TTASL has selected 100 girls and boys who are under 12 years and will carry out a special training program program. Jagath has requested the Media to support in popularizing TT throughout the country.

A former elite paddler and TTASL administrator Riza Latiff handed over a cheque to the value of Rs 100,000 to the TTASL Secretary Chandana Perera for the use of the tournament. Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorships are on offer for the tournament.