adminTakudzwa Chitsiga : Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union and the Chinese Table Tennis Association yesterday launched the Chinese Ambassador Cup to be held at Belvedere Technical Teachers College’s Great Hall on September 17 and 18. The tournament will go by the name China-Zimbabwe Table Tennis Tournament and will be sponsored by local companies and the Chinese communities in Zimbabwe.Speaking at the launch ceremony in the capital yesterday, China’s deputy ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhao Baogang, said he is happy that the two countries have managed to organise such a tournament.
“I am honoured to be here for the launch of this event which will be hosted by the Embassy of the People of Republic of China.
“The tournament will include men and women’s doubles and singles teams with preliminaries set for September 17 while finals will be held a day later.
“Chinese Ambassador, Huang Ping, and Sport and Recreation Minister, Makhosini Hlongwane, are expected at the closing ceremony. The event is mainly meant to promote the sport locally as table tennis is the most followed sport in China so it is good to support it here,” Baogang said.
Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union president John Muringani said they are happy with the association and will make sure that they play their part for the event to be a great success.
“I am happy to be associated with the Chinese Embassy to support table tennis, which is the first sport in China. As Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union we are involved in many areas as we have a vibrant schools league in Harare and Manicaland provinces, which is important for development of the sport.
“We have been active in all the African Games since 1995 and we wish to be at the next Olympics. So, with this relationship I think it will work well for us.
“Our vision is to qualify for the Olympics and we have already started to work towards that goal.
Online Reporter