ITTF helps Nigeria upgrade table tennis tournament

By Daily Sports on August 9, 2018

World table tennis governing body ITTF on Wednesday upgraded the annual Nigeria Open in 2019 to Challenge Plus.

The upgrade means more prize money, world ranking points, better playing conditions and TV production.

The Nigeria Open kicks off from Aug. 8-12 in Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub.

Nine cities have joined the Challenge Series, including the Nigeria, DPR Korea, Oman, Portugal, Paraguay and Canada Opens.

Nigeria Open was rewarded for its exceptionally strong Challenge Series events over the past few years and the tournament has been allocated a Challenge Plus status.

The 17 events for 2019, includes nine cities that have never hosted a Challenge Series event and will be split into two tiers for the first time, with the top tier being called Challenge Plus.

The Challenge Series is the Tour below the premier ITTF World Tour, with its goal of providing players from around the world valuable playing opportunities to get the experience and world ranking points to take the next step to playing ITTF World Tour events.

ITTF CEO Steve Dainton said the increased amount of ITTF Challenge Series events shows the increased interested in organizing table tennis events and the proven success of the change of world ranking at the start of 2018.

"These 17 events added to our 13 ITTF World Tour events means that we have 30 tour events in 2019, which provides our players with immense value and fits in with the ITTF's strategy of having a fully professionally run global tour by 2021," he added.

Mexico is one of the new names in the second tier of events together with fellow newcomers Morocco, Turkey, Serbia and Indonesia. Spain, Slovenia, Croatia, Thailand, Poland and Belarus all successfully retain their status as Challenge Series hosts for 2019.

ITTF Head of World Cup & Challenge Series Zena Sim added that it is great seeing the immense interest from so many countries around the world to host a Challenge Series event.

Challenge Series events are a perfect platform for new hosts to organize a world-class event, and a good platform for new players to get their first experience playing at international level, he added. (Xinhua)

Source Daily Sports

Posted August 9, 2018


 

You may also like...
Tiger Battles To 71 In Third Round At...

Eguma wary of Malian opponents Real Bamako

Lampard Expects Added Pressure After Chelsea Spending Spree...

Third Division Club Bundle Atletico Madrid Out Of...

Coach takes Saraki to court for owing ABS...

Klopp eager to end silverware drought

 

Latest News Organisers celebrate Okpekpe race 10th anniversary Cricket: Nigeria wins ICC award Rangers not chasing NPFL title, says Ilechukwu Chukwueze may get Milan lifeline Eaglets held in pre-WAFU friendly Again, Siasia knocks NFF over FIFA ban Boxing coach Mayowa seeks support for kidney treatment West African champ Abubakar set for European debut ‘Shaibu’s impeachment didn’t affect Insurance’ Gusau backs Falcons to shine at Olympics Suspended SWAN Secretary General Cannot Sign Official Letters -Nyong Lagos SWAN Hails Tunde Onakoya's Heroic New World Chess Record

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,642 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,633 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,769 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,460 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (42,231 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (42,108 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (42,010 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,476 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,509 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,508 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,882 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,432 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media