by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Notably, the winners and runners up in each of the Junior Boys’ Team and Junior Girls’ Team events will qualify for 2017 Asian Junior Championships to be held in Ansan, Korea Republic from Thursday 29th June to Tuesday 4th July.
It is a tournament in which Singapore has a proud reputation. At the 2016 Southeast Asian Junior and Cadet Championships held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Singapore won all four team events, whilst in the individual competitions, Beh Kun Ting and Goi Rui Xuan emerged successful in the respective Cadet Boys’ Singles and Cadet Girls’ Singles events.
“We have our young athletes’ interests at heart and we hope to inspire a generation of players in our sport by organising an international tournament on home soil for them. This also reinforces our message to our athletes and supporters that we are focused on our promoting our Singapore youths to be the best athletes that they can be.” Ms Ellen Lee PBM, President Singapore Table Tennis Association
Additionally Tay Ming Han Maxxe secured the top prize in the Junior Boys’ Doubles event in partnership with Lucas Tan and in the Junior Mixed Doubles competition when partnering Tan En Hui.
The one further title to come the way of Singapore was the Cadet Boys’ Doubles, an event in which Beh Kun Ting and Pang Yew En Koen stood proudly on the top step of the podium.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Pattaratorn Passara won the Junior Boys’ Singles title, compatriot Monapsorn Saritapirak was crowned Junior Girls’ Singles champion; the Cadet Girls’ Doubles was won by Malaysia’s Tee Ai Xin and Kuan E. Xian.
“We would like to encourage all Singaporeans to support the tournament and the athletes. Please join in the excitement, as our Singapore paddlers will be there to defend their gold medals on home soil. They are bent on fighting to extend their winning streak.” Ms Ellen Lee PBM
Admission to the tournament is free; the tournament may be followed on Singapore Table Tennis Association’s YouTube Channel and on the Singapore Table Tennis Association’s Facebook Page