KARACHI: The Karachi Table Tennis Association (KTTA) which had served as one of the biggest nurseries of the game in the country in yesteryears is back on the track by announcing that it will stage Karachi International Invitational Tournament in the city from March 15 to 17.

This was the crux of the annual general body meeting of the association which met at the Islamia Club on Sunday.

“The KTTA has immensely helped its parent body, the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) in staging a number of international events in the past but next month’s competition will be a milestone for them,” the chairman of the KTTA and two-time former national champion Javed Hayat told Dawn.

He said invitations have been sent to China, Turkey, Iran, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Oman and the UAE and was optimistic that at least four nations will accept it.

To be held at the South End Club, the competitions will be held in the men’s and women’s singles.

To maintain equality, the winners of the two categories will be awarded US $ 800 apiece while the runners-up will earn US $ 500 each, Hayat added

To a question, he disclosed that hosting of the event will approximately cost a sum of Rs 2 million.

Besides the prize money, free return air ticket to three people (man, woman, manager) to all foreign players and officials and free local hospitality will be provided a day before and a day after.

The countries who are willing to compete have been asked to confirm their participation by Feb 10 and send entries by name by Feb 20 at info@millenniumpakistan.com.

According to playing conditions, the matches will be played on Stag tables on wooden floor and Sanwei 3 Star Premium 40+ balls will be used.

First stage of the matches will be played on round robin while the second stage will be contested on the knockout.

The meeting was attended among others by the KTTA life president S. M. Sibtain, who also heads the PTTF, KTTA president Mohammad Tahir Lone, KTTA secretary Tauqeer Mohajir, Azher Khurshid, Saleem Ahmed, former players Arif Khan, Sohail Hayat, Arif Nakhuda and Rubina Arif.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2017