Chinese favourites for Dubai Asian Cup Table Tennis

Dubai - Admission is free for the event where the UAE will be represented by Abdulla Albalooshi and Noura Almaazmi.

The Chinese superstars will head an impressive field of players when the first Dubai Asian Cup takes place at Zabeel Hall 1, Dubai World Trade Centre from April 28-30, the sport's last major tournament before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Taking place just 100 days before sport's showpiece event, London 2012 gold medallist Zhang Jike of China heads the all-star cast along with teammate Xu Xin, the defending champion and the World No 3, while compatriots Liu Shiwen, the World No 1, and Zhu Yuling, the World No 3, top the women's draw.
Admission is free for the event where the UAE will be represented by Abdulla Albalooshi and Noura Almaazmi.
The Asian Table Tennis Union sanctioned event will feature 16 of Asia's top male and female players including India's Soumyajit Ghosh and Sharath Kamal Achanta. Asian Cup defending women's champion Tianwei Feng of Singapore, as well as India's Manika Batra, will also contest the tournament, organised by the UAE Table Tennis Association, with the support of Dubai Sports Council, Falcon and Associates and Lagardère Sports.
Saeed Hareb, secretary general of Dubai Sports Council, said: "The event is a tremendous addition to Dubai's sports calendar of world-class events and further strengthens its position as a home for racket sports."
Tony Yue, secretary general of the Asian Table Tennis Union, said: "The tournament is an opportunity for spectators to watch some of the world's best players in action and experience a fiercely contested and exciting event. Dubai has a proven track record for delivering outstanding events."
Dawoud Al Hajri, president, UAE Table Tennis Association, said: "We are looking forward to welcoming some of the world's best players back to Dubai for the city's third major table tennis tournament in the past two years, having successfully hosted the 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals and the 2015 ITTF World Team Classic."
Organisers are also launching a series of free activities in the lead-up to the tournament through Ping Pong Dubai, a grassroots initiative which aims to encourage people from all walks of life to pick up a bat and discover that table tennis is a fun and social way to be more active. Events include 'Free to Play' at Ripe Market at Zabeel Park, Dubai, every Friday from 18 March to 21 April as well as a Corporate Challenge to mark World Table Tennis Day on 6 April.
moni@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai