THE International Veteran’s Table Tennis Tournament scheduled this month will be moved next year due to the recent conflict in Zamboanga City.
The tournament, which was originally titled as the 9th Lapu-Lapu Minzhi Cup International Table Tennis Championship was supposed to be on Nov. 14-21, 2013 at the Lapu-Lapu City Hoops Dome.
This was disclosed by Lapu-Lapu City tourism officer Hembler Mendoza.
He added that several foreign participants backed out after hearing of the incident in Mindanao.
“However, it will still push through in November 2014 and we will still be expecting several top foreign table tennis players,” said Mendoza.
Among the seasoned foreign players that they are expecting next year is former table tennis Olympian Jan-Ove Waldner, a Swedish table tennis player who has already confirmed participation in the tournament. Another former Olympian and world champion Jorgen Perrson will also be participating.
According to Table Tennis Association of the Philippines president Ting Ledesma, the event may be postponed, but it only means they will have more time to invite more players for the tournament.
They look to attract participants especially from Shanghai, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Macau and host country Philippines.
“Our world champions are really looking forward to this tournament,” said Ledesma.
Since they have a year to prepare, Lapu-Lapu City will make sure they make enough noise to create more awareness about the event.
The City plans to host a national table tennis tournament set in March 2014.
They are expecting participants from all over the country.
“This is a good opportunity to promote and create awareness among the locals including those from the local schools. With the hosting this coming November 2014, we might get more local participants,” said Mendoza.
“This would be an opportunity as well for our local players to play against former world champions,” said Mendoza.