KARACHI, May 14: The Karachi Table Tennis Association (KTTA), which has a rich history of producing an array of international players, took a giant step on Wednesday by offering cash prizes amounting to Rs0.2 million for the upcoming 36th Karachi Table Tennis Championships which get into action at the Islamia Club from May 23.

The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by chairman of the organising committee, Farhan Chishti, KTTA chief Dr Farhan Essa, told Dawn.

Farhan, who took over the KTTA reign last year, said this was first time in the history of the association that such a lucrative purse for winners of different events has been offered.

He said he was expecting a huge turnout of players, including women, in different categories.

The championship, he said, will be contested in 15 events —men’s and women’s singles (open and Karachi players), men’s and women’s team events (open for clubs), men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, boys and girls’ singles under-18, under-15 and under-12.

He said former SAF Games gold medallist Arif Khan has been named as the tournament secretary.

The last date for submission of entries is May 21. Entry forms are available at the Islamia Club and the PSB Coaching Centre.

The championship concludes on May 29.