Kathmandu Gears Up to Host Pivotal South Asia Table Tennis Qualifier
Kathmandu, Nepal’s bustling capital, is set to take center stage from May 13-15 as it hosts the highly anticipated South Asia Regional Olympic Qualification for table tennis. The prestigious National Table Tennis Training Centre will serve as the battleground for players from Bangladesh, the Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the host nation Nepal, all vying for the coveted Olympic slots – one for men and one for women.
Fiercely Competitive Matches
A total of nine men and ten women will compete fiercely for these two sought-after spots, with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as the ultimate goal. Leading the charge in the men’s event is Ahmed Akhyar of the Maldives, the top seed and silver medalist at the 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games. All eyes will be on him as he seeks to outplay his rivals and secure the lone men’s slot.
In the women’s category, the spotlight shines brightly on Fatimath Ali of the Maldives, the gold medalist at the 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games. With her wealth of experience at the highest level, she aims to assert her dominance against her competitors in Kathmandu.
Intense Competition Format
The competition format for both events follows a two-stage system. Initially, players will compete in round-robin groups, with the top two advancing to a knockout stage. The ultimate victors of the knockout stage will clinch their tickets to the Paris Olympics in 2024, with matches played in a best-of-seven format, adding to the intensity and excitement of the event.
As the stage is set and anticipation runs high, Kathmandu is primed to witness thrilling displays of skill and determination as these athletes vie for their chance to make history on the Olympic stage.
🔗 Source
