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TABLE TENNIS - National 14 Aug, 2023

Azadi Cup Tenpin Bowling Tournament starts in Rawalpindi

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: The Azadi Cup Tenpin Bowling Tournament started under the auspices of the Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation (PTBF), at Leisure City Bowling Club, Jinnah Park, Rawalpindi.President, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation, Ijazur Rehman inaugurated the tournament. Secretary General, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation, Mohammad Hussain Chatha, and a large number of peoples were also present on the occasion.About 100 men and women players from all over the country, are taking part in the tournament. Eight competitions are being played in the tournament namely men's single, men's doubles, ladies singles, Amateur, Deaf, team event, Inter-Universities, and Inter-Schools.The semifinals and finals will be played on August 16 and 17, respectively. At the end of the finals, the concluding ceremony will be held on August 17, at 6.00 pm. Trophies, and Certificates will be delivered to the winning players.

TABLE TENNIS - Int News 29 Jul, 2023

ITTF World Championships Finals Durban Marks Historic Milestone

Sports DeskISLAMABAD: The 2023 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Durban has recorded an extraordinary feat, captivating a global audience of over 1 billion people. The event not only highlighted the remarkable growth and development of table tennis worldwide but also celebrated the sport's legacy in Africa. Significantly, Durban marked the first time in 84 years that the event was staged in the African continent, last being held in Cairo, Egypt in 1939. Broadcasting across 176 territories, this year's edition of the World Championships captivated audiences with a record-breaking 1,495 hours of airtime. The cumulative reach of the event stood at an impressive 1.134 billion people, while the audience totalled 526 million people, a remarkable increase of over 42% compared to the viewership of the World Championships in 2021. During this historic event, SuperSport, the exclusive broadcaster for the Africa region, played a pivotal role in bringing the world-class table tennis action to African fans. They provided an ideal platform for viewers to support the African stars and witness unforgettable moments, including Omar Assar's triumphant advancement to the quarterfinals—a momentous achievement for the continent. SuperSport's coverage is a testament to the sport's remarkable growth in the region and globally. The milestones extended well beyond traditional media, as the event garnered overwhelming success across multiple social media channels. The digital strategy to create content tailored to diverse audiences on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Weibo, and YouTube was evident. Moreover, the ITTF and World Table Tennis provided fresh and distinctive content daily, showcasing both the action around the table and behind the scenes, resulting in a wider event reach and stronger connections between players and their fan base. Social media also played a pivotal role in enhancing the event's prominence, with Instagram posts receiving 86% more views than the 2021 ITTF World Championships Finals. YouTube content saw a substantial surge in popularity, recording 36% more views and an impressive 136% increase in watch hours. Additionally, the event experienced an 86% surge in interaction on Weibo, China's flagship social networking site, further demonstrating its global appeal. The World Championships in Durban also left a remarkable digital footprint, as pageviews on the WTT website surpassed those recorded during the 2021 edition of the event. Reflecting on this milestone, Steve Dainton, ITTF Group CEO, said:"The ITTF World Championships Finals Durban 2023 truly showcased the global growth of table tennis, with a special emphasis on its remarkable expansion in Africa. This historic event not only mesmerized over 1 billion viewers worldwide but also forged an enduring legacy for the sport within this vibrant continent. This unprecedented viewership is a resounding validation of ITTF's unwavering commitment to fostering and developing the game on a global scale, ensuring that the joy of table tennis continues to reach and unite fans across the globe, with Africa playing a pivotal and integral role in this flourishing journey.”

TABLE TENNIS - Int News 28 May, 2023

Table Tennis News: Chen Meng, Wang Yidi win Women’s Doubles title

Sports Bulletin ReportDurban (South Africa):-Chinese duo Chen Meng and Wang Yidi claimed the W.J. Pope Trophy for Women’s Doubles after winning the final in three straight sets (11-8, 11-7, 12-10) over Republic of Korea's Shin Yubin and Jeon Jihee in Durban South Africa on Saturday.Despite the strong start by Shin and Jeon, the Chinese pair’s relentless attacks proved too much for their Korean opponents to handle. In the wake of their triumph, Chen Meng and Wang Yidi expressed their gratitude to their travelling supporters and dedicated the win to them. Chen Meng said, "I honestly did not expect to win this title, but Yidi and myself worked very hard together with the coaches and we are very happy to have won. We would like to thank all our fans who were present to cheer us on today.” China continued its dominance at the World Championships Finals as top seeds Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin lifted the Iran Cup Men’s Doubles Trophy after the Chinese pair successfully overcame a slow start to chalk up three games without response against Republic of Korea’s Jang Woojin and Lim Jonghoon (13-11, 11-6, 11-5). Jang and Lim, who had narrowly missed out on the title at the 2021 World Championships Finals in Houston, could not one up their performance in the current instalment and succumbed to the top seeds. The Korean duo had the upper hand going into the first game, racing to a 7-3 lead, but eventually succumbed to the top seeds. On their win, Wang Chuqin said, "I felt that Fan Zhendong and I played very well in the Men's Doubles final. In the first set, we had a nice comeback after a very difficult situation. At this World Championships, Fan Zhendong and I have gradually found our own style in cooperating with each other, and I could feel our understanding and communication improve with each game."

TABLE TENNIS - Int News 19 May, 2023

Table Tennis News: ITTF World Championships Finals 2023

Sports Bulletin ReportDurban (South Africa):-As many as 128 players will take part in the singles event, as the draw for the prestigious ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Durban 2023 took place today, marking a historic moment as the event returns to African soil for the first time in 84 years.The draw, held at a local hotel, unveiled the paths that 128 players in Men's and Women's singles, along with 64 pairs in each of the doubles categories, will navigate in their pursuit of glory. The straight knockout format also promises exciting match ups from the opening day on 20 May till 28 May. For the Men’s singles, there could an early rematch of the 2021 final as defending champion Fan Zhendong (CHN) and Truls Moregard (SWE) were seeded in the same side of the draw. Continental hopes for Africa will rest on top players Quadri Aruna (NGR) and Omar Assad (EGY). Aruna has a potential matchup with Tomokazu Harimoto (JPN) in the quarter-finals; while he dispatched the fourth seed with ease at the Singapore Smash 2023, all eyes will be on him to pull off another upset in Durban to bring glory to Africa. Host nation South Africa champion Theo Cogill will start his campaign against Kao Cheng–Jui from Chinese Taipei while the youngest member of the South African team, 18-year-old Dean Levy, will take on another African star, Senegalese Ibrahima Diaw in the first round of the men’s singles. Dean Levy, who was present at the seeds draw, said:“I am excited to attend my first World Championships in my country, especially in the presence of top-class players. Witnessing the draw was an interesting experience for me and I hope I can set a record as the first South African to go beyond the first round of the World Championships. It is indeed a privilege for me to represent my country in such a big tournament and I look forward to giving my best.”

TABLE TENNIS - National 30 Jul, 2022

Shah Khan beats Ubaid Shah 3-0 in Punjab Premier Table Tennis League final

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Shah Khan from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) defeated Ubaid Shah also from KP by 3-0 with the scores of 11-7, 11-7 and 11-9 in the one-sided final match of Punjab Premier Table Tennis League at Nishtar Park Sports Complex gymnasium hall on Friday. Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Asadullah Faiz and Director General Sports Punjab Mohammad Tariq Qureshi were the guests of honour at the prize distribution ceremony. Director Sports Nadeem Qaiser, Director Youth Affairs Syed Umair Hasan, Multan Divisional Sports Officer Rana Nadeem Anjum, Administrator NPSC gymnasium hall Mustfa Shah and other officials were also present on this occasion. Sports Board Punjab gave away a cash prize of Rs 50000 to the winner of Punjab Premier Table Tennis League, Rs 30000 to runner up and third position holder was given cash prize of Rs 20000. Sports Board Punjab also gave kits to all participants of the event. While talking to media, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Asadullah Faiz said that Punjab Premier Table Tennis League was organised under the auspices of Sports Board Punjab as part of Golden Jubilee celebrations of the country and this campaign will remain continue throughout the year. “We are quite upbeat that the holding of Punjab Premier Table Tennis League will play a key role in further popularizing the game of table tennis in the country”. Director General Sports Punjab Mohammad Tariq Qureshi on this occasion said that Sports Board Punjab will continue to organize competitive events of different games to provide maximum playing opportunities to talented male and female players of the province. Meanwhile, Director General Sports Punjab Mohammad Tariq Qureshi also awarded a cash prize of Rs 400 thousands to top performers of recent 2-week modern hockey training camp held under the supervision of legendary Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans at National Hockey Stadium Pitch-2.

TABLE TENNIS - National 25 Feb, 2022

Anna-Carin Ahlquist announces retirement

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Named “Female Para Star of the Year” at the inaugural ITTF Star Awards evening held in January 2013 at the Raffles Hotel in Dubai, on Wednesday 23rd February Sweden’s Anna-Carin Ahlqhuist announced her retirement from international play. The award recognised her achievement at the London 2012 Paralympic Games when she had secured women’s singles class 3 gold. “It was definitely the biggest moment of my career. Every time I think about it, I get happy and emotional, being on the top of the podium is every athlete’s biggest dream.” Anna-Carin Ahlquist. Later in the proceedings, she was to add a second medal to her collection, alongside her erstwhile partner, Ingela Lundback, in women’s team class 4-5; they secured silver, a feat also achieved more recently in Tokyo. The team successes are somewhat resigned to the shadows when her individual efforts are considered, in Rio she was also a women’s singles bronze medallist. However, the team performances are of considerable merit, a class 3 athlete, she was competing against class 4 and class 5 opponents, adversaries with a lesser disability. Undoubtedly, those efforts underline her strength of character, her sheer determination to succeed and prove any doubters wrong. European and World Championships Likewise partnering Ingela Lundback, twice she won the women’s team class 4-5 title at the European Para Championships (2009, 2015), in addition to donning the women’s singles clas 3 crown on five occasions (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019). The fifth gold achieved on Swedish soil in Helsingborg was the most poignant; earlier in the year she had undergone a Mastectomy, having been diagnosed with breast cancer. Additionally, at the European Para Championships, she was a women’s singles class 3 bronze medallist (2009), women’s team class 4-5 silver medallist (2011, 2019) and class 5 team bronze medallist (2007). A string of successes; it is the same at the World Para Championships. Twice a women’s singles class 3 bronze medallist (2014, 2018), twice a women’s team class 5 silver medal winner (2010, 2019); as at the European Para Championships, always in partnership with Ingela Lundback. Meanwhile, at open international para tournaments commencing in 2007, she won 68 gold, 21 silver and 14 bronze medals, always relishing the challenge, a fact endorsed at the World Veteran Championships in 2016 in Alicante, able bodied players finding her a most worthy opponent. Ranking Success, the outcome was that she established herself consistently in the upper echelons of the women’s class 3 rankings. She made her first entry at no.31 in July 2007, in October 2010 she claimed top spot, a position she was to hold on no less than 70 publications! Currently she is listed in the no.2 spot.

TABLE TENNIS - National 30 Dec, 2021

Haiqa and Fahad Khawaja claim National Table Tennis titles

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE (December 30, 2021):-Haiqa Hassan from Pakistan Army outplayed RaheelaKashif of Wapda by 4-1 with the scores of 4-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 in Women’s Singles final clash of 57th National Table Tennis Championship at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall here on Thursday. The Men’s Singles title went to Wapda’sFahadKhawaja who defeated his brother UmamKhwaja of Choramatex by 4-2 after a thrilling final. FahadKhawaja won the final with the score of 11-6, 11-9, 11-7, 5-11, 6-11, 11-9. Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab FuadHashimRabbani was the chief guest on this occasion. Secretary Pakistan Table Tennis Federation Ahmer Malik, President Punjab Table Tennis Association IrfanUllah Khan, Deputy Director OmairHasan were also present on this occasion. Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab FuadHashimRabbaniwas warmly received upon reaching the venue. He also distributed prizes among top performers of the event. The participating teams and officials also had group photographs with Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab FuadHashimRabbani. It worth-mentioning that Pakistan Table Tennis Federation,organised the biggest-ever National Table Tennis Championship with the collaboration of Sports Board Punjab (SBP). Earlier, Wapda’sHamzaAkram and Abdul Raheem toppled Shah Khan &UmmamKhawaja of the same department in Men’s Doubles final by 3-0 with the score of 11-8, 11-9, 11-4. Wapda’s PerniyaZaman Khan and NosheenWaseem defeated Kalsoom Khan and Fatima Khan of Chromatex by 3-2, 8-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-4, 12-10 in the closely-fought Women’s Doubles final match at the same venue. Results: Women’s Singles Final: Haiqa Hassan (Army) beat RaheelaKashif (Wapda) 4-1, 4-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6. Men’s Singles Final: Fahad Khawaja (Wapda) beat UmmamKhawaja (Wapda) 4-2, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7, 5-11, 6-11, 11-9. Women’s Doubles final: Perniya Zaman Khan &NosheenWaseem (Wapda) beat Kalsoom Khan & Fatima Khan (Chromatex) 3-2, 8-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-4, 12-10. Men’s Doubles final: HamzaAkram& Abdul Raheem (Wapda) beat Shah Khan &UmmamKhawaja (Wapda) 3-0, 11-8, 11-9, 11-4 Mixed Doubles final: FaizanZahoor&HoorFawad (Army) beat Shah Khan &SadiaRaheel (Wapda) 3-1, 11- 7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9. Men’s Singles Semifinal: FahadKhawaja (Wapda) beat Shah Khan (Wapda) 4-2, 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11- 7, 9-11, 11-7. Women’s Singles Semifinal: Raheela Kashif (Wapda) beat Ayesha Sharjeel (Wapda) 4-3, 11-4, 11-4, 7-11, 8-11, 11-9, 7-11, 14-12.

TABLE TENNIS - National 29 Dec, 2021

WAPDA dominate in the National Table Tennis Championship

LAHORE (Sports Report):-Pakistan WAPDA players produced sparkling performance in the 57th National Table Tennis Championship at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall, as over 200 players from 14 teams of the country are participating in the biggest event being organized in collaboration with Sports Board Punjab (SBP). Wapda’s table tennis players exhibited wonderful form on the day 4 and managed to win 10 matches out of 14 encounters. Results: Men’s Singles: FahadKhawaja (Wapda) beat Mohammad Usman (Wapda) (3-0), 11-7, 11-3, 11-8 Shah Khan (Wapda) beat Mohammad Ahmed (Punjab) 3-2, 9-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-4. Mohammad Rameez (Wapda) beat Nauman Zara (Sindh) 3-0, 11-9, 11-8, 13-11. FaizanZahoor (Army) beat AbidIqbal (HEC) 3-0, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7. Abdul Raheem (Wapda) beat Mohammad Danish (Islmbd) 3-0, 11-4, 11-9, 11-4. Bilal Yasin (Wapda) beat Irtaza Ali (Railways) 3-1, 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7 Hafeez-ur-Rehman (Wapda) beat Abdul Haseeb (OGDCL) 3-0, 11-3, 11-4, 11-4 AsimQureshi (Wapda) beat HadiTahir (Punjab) 3-0, 11-3, 11-7, 11-6. Ahil Shah (Army) beat Shujaat Ali (Wapda) 3-0, 11-8, 11-1, 11-4. Saim Adnan (Sindh) beat Salman Saleem (Railways) 3-2, 11-7, 6-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7. Umam Khawaja (Wapda) beat AwaisMukhtar (Wapda) 3-0, 11-9, 11-9, 11-7. Ubaid Shah (Army) beat Arbaz Anwar (KP) 3-0, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9. Hamza Malik (Wapda) beat Mohammad Abdullah (Islamabad) 3-2, 9-11, 11-7, 4-11, 13-11, 11-7. Basit Ali (Wapda) beat ArslanAlvi (Sindh) 3-0, 11-3, 11-7, 11-7.

TABLE TENNIS - National 25 Dec, 2021

Javed Chohan inaugurates 57th National Table Tennis Championship

Sports Report LAHORE (December 25, 2021):-Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan inaugurated the 57th National Table Tennis Championship at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall on Saturday. Secretary Pakistan Table Tennis Federation Ahmer Malik, Secretary Punjab Olympic Association Idris Haider Khwaja, President Punjab Table Tennis Association Irfan Ullah Khan, Chief Sports Consultant SBP Hafeez Bhatti were also present on this occasion. A large number of young male and female table tennis players and sports enthusiasts also attended the colourful opening ceremony. Male and female artistes presented attractive cultural and regional dances and performances to entertain the large crowd. Talking to media Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan said Sports and Youth Affairs Department Punjab is fully supporting this national championship. “The promotion of sports culture across the province is our prime objective and that’s why we always extended every kind of assistance for the holding of multiple sports events in all parts of Punjab”. Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan further said Punjab province has plenty of sports talent and Sports Board Punjab is striving hard to provide sufficient playing opportunities to talented male and female players by holding maximum number of sports events across the province. In his media talk, Secretary Pakistan Table Tennis Federation Ahmer Malik informed that it’s the biggest ever National Table Tennis Championship of the country in which over 200 players from 14 teams are participating. He also thanked Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan for extending excellent support and facilities for the holding of National Table Tennis Championship at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall.

TABLE TENNIS - National 25 Dec, 2021

ITTA names teams for National Table Tennis Championship

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (December 25, 2021):-Islamabad Table Tennis Association (ITTA) has named male and female teams for upcoming 57th National Table Tennis Championship that will be held in Lahore after conducting trials. According to an official of ITTA, around 30 men from capital city and 16 women participated in the trials.The selection committee was consisted of Masood Rabbani, Mohammad Farooq, Raza Rafiq and Naeem Shaukat. The selected five men and five women players will represent Islamabad in the upcoming 57th National Table Tennis Championship, which will be taken place in Lahore. At this occasion, president, ITTA SM Rashid Qadri wished good luck to all the players and said to enter in the field with the spirit of victory. Rashid Qadri also distributed the shirt and track suit among the selected players. Names of selected men: 1: Abdullah Naeem 2: Mohammad Danish Tanveer 3: Mohammad Omar Saeed Ibrahim 4: Bilal Khan 5: Nabil Ahmed Names of selected women: 1: Rahnail Satti 2: Isha Khan 3: Laiba Khan 4: Insha Afridi 5: Iqra Asghar