BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC- Barbados is preparing to host a major table tennis tournament involving teenagers from at least four continents later this year.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Cadet Challenge Barbados features about 100 competitors ages 15 and under from Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, North and Latin America, will be held from October 23 to November 1, this year.
“It is my understanding that the top players from around the world are expected to converge on Barbados for this tournament, including a specially selected top ranked coach for the junior team,” said sports minister Stephen Lashley.
“Exposure such as this at such a high level of competition, in my view, [will] only redound to enhancing the standing of table tennis in Barbados, as our young players strive for excellence”.
Eight team members from Barbados – four boys and four girls, will also be taking part in the tournament which will also feature a four-day training camp.
“The hosting of this tournament in Barbados will, undoubtedly, go a long way towards safeguarding the legacy of table tennis in Barbados,” said Lashley.
“I believe it would serve to heighten the interest in the sport, especially among our youth and, certainly, within our school”.
The tournament, which has been hosted in locations such as Portugal, Japan and South Africa, is being held in the English-speaking Caribbean for the first time.
“I’m really happy to see that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth [is involved], because that is exactly what we are bringing together in October…,” said ITTF Competition Manager, Raul Calin.
“We have a cultural day where the kids will experience Barbados”.
