World Table Tennis Finals kicks off in Durban
Held at the Durban International Convention Centre from May 20 to May 28, the World Championships will not only exhibit thrilling matches but also provide an exciting experience for fans of the game.
THE International Table Tennis Federation (ITFF) World Table Tennis Championship Finals kicked off at the Durban Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) on Saturday, May 20. The event has returned to Africa for the first time since 1939, when it was hosted in Egypt, and table tennis lovers came out in their numbers to watch their favourite athletes battle it out.
To mark the beginning of this highly anticipated event, a spectacular opening ceremony was on display in the presence of ITTF President Petra Sörling, South African Table Tennis Board President Joe Carrim, and the Premier of the KwaZulu-Natal Province Nomusa Dube-Ncube with vibrant dance, acrobatic performances and stunning costumes celebrating the heritage and diversity of the city. The official theme song of the World Championships, “Durban is the place to be” was also unveiled, with a live performance of Kyle Desai and King Licious setting the tone for the tournament.
President Sörling said in her opening speech, “Africa boasts the youngest population among continents, and it is increasingly important to empower the younger generation to shape the future of sports – starting right here, celebrating the diversity of Durban.”
Also read: Durban City gears up to host World Table Tennis Championship Finals
“It has not always been this way. While in 1956, the ITTF recognised the non-discriminatory South African Table Tennis Board as the governing body in South Africa, paving the way for other sports organisations to take similar initiatives, the South African Table Tennis Board could not send teams to any international events for decades. Today, I am immensely proud to open the World Championships in South Africa.”
Held at the Durban International Convention Centre from May 20 to May 28, the World Championships will not only exhibit thrilling matches but also provide an exciting fan experience. Spectators and the people of Durban will have the opportunity to actively participate in table tennis themselves, with many tables spread around the venue to engage in casual matches with family and friends.
If you are a table tennis fan and revel in the excitement involved in being a spectator to this unique sport, don’t miss out on the opportunity to catch the games live. For more information on the games and tickets, visit www.tabletennis.co.za or get your tickets from Ticketpro, as well as Checkers and Spar stores that have ticket dispensers.
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