KARACHI: Nepal on Wednesday became the first team to arrive in Pakistan from Kathmandu to compete in the South Asian Cadet and Junior Table Tennis Championships which begins at the Habib Public School gymnasium from Friday.

The Nepalese squad that comprised 14 players and two officials is due to reach the metropolis from Lahore by Thursday evening.

The Sri Lankan and Maldives teams are due to arrive by Air Lanka flight on Thursday. The Lankan team includes 18 players and officials while the Maldives squad comprised 10 players and officials.

The Indians are expected to get visas by Thursday morning. Their team is booked for 2pm flight.

Meanwhile, Pakistan team that comprised 15 boys and girls had extensive training under the supervision of five coaches at the venue on Wednesday. The home team will also train on Thursday.

The Sindh government has provided financial help to the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) by doling out Rs1.5 million to meet the expenses, organisers said.

They added that the PTTF has also requested the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to share the financial cost of the event.

According to estimated budget, the hosting of the spectacle is expected to cost Rs3 million and a major chunk will be spent on hotel accommodation.

Nepal squad:

Players: Subodh Limbo, Bipul Maharjan, Narayan Ghimire, Ghana Shyam Sharma Aryal, Sonu Thapa Magar, Sikka Suwal Shrestha, Lasta Maharjan, Sujata Duwal, Ritiz Joshi, Sanyog Kapali, Alex Maharjan, Diksha Dahal, Anju Suwal and Mariya Thapa Magar. Officials: Anil Ghimire and Sanjay Aryal.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2016