SLTTA aiming for at least four ranking competitions
Lankan paddlers may face the risk of missing the Nationals this year
Sri Lanka Table Tennis Association (SLTTA) expects to hold at least four ranking tournaments by 2020 to avoid the risk of foregoing its National Championship, according to the General Secretary Srinath Wijetunga.
“We had planned our first ranking tournament for 2020 in April, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to be postponed to May. But now we have postponed it indefinitely,” Wijetunga explained.
Accordingly the Kandy Mayor’s Cup Championship, scheduled from April 4 to 6 at the Kandy Municipal Council Courts and organised by the Sabaragamuwa Table Tennis Association was postponed until further notice.
“Our initial plan was to complete the table tennis events calendar by September and focus on the National Championship in October. But plans have to be changed now. We may need to complete at least four All-Island Ranking Tournaments before thinking of holding the Nationals,” he added.
In addition to the Kandy Mayor’s Cup another ranking tournament was scheduled for April. The organisers of the other event that was scheduled from April 25 to 27 at the Indoor Courts of S. Thomas’ College in Mt. Lavinia was the Colombo District Table Tennis Association.
In addition three more ranking tournaments were scheduled for 2020. They are — the Maheepala Herath Challenge Trophy from June 20 to 22, Tibhar Championship from September 5 to 6 and the Kanake Herath Challenge Trophy from September 26 to 27.
The Junior National Table Tennis Championship was scheduled on October 24 and 25, followed by the National Table Tennis Championship from October 30 to November 1. But with the present situation and with the academic activities of schools expected to recommence, the SLTTA is uncertain if it would be able to meet the challenge.
“There are lots of school children involved in table tennis. And with two term examinations and the G.C.E. A/L and the G.C.E. O/L exams pending, we are expected to face a tough time ahead in meeting the demands. Our competitions may clash with these exams. With over 500 players expected to flock inside a single facility, which is another major concern, we may face a huge challenge in conducting our future competitions,” explained Wijetunga.
Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced in postponements of the World Table Tennis Championship scheduled in March, Olympic Qualification Championship and the South Asian Junior Championship, both scheduled in April and the South Asian Championship, scheduled in May.
“The SLTTA was planning to send a squad of 10 paddlers each for all these four competitions. We had Chameera Ginige, Senura Silva, Nirmala Jayasinghe, Milintha Lakshitha and Rohan Sirisena in the Men’s team and Ishara Madurangi, Bimandi Bandara, Erandi Warusawithana, Hansani Piyumila and Jithara Warnakulasuriya in the Women’s team. But all selections are held up as well as our events,” stated Wijetunga.