Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune (right) on Monday hands a gift to Mr Khalil Al Mohannadi.

Asian table tennis union to support Lao players

The Asian Table Tennis Union will continue to support the development of Lao players to international standards, following the Union’s success in organising the Asian Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships in Vientiane from September 1-6.
During a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune on Monday, the President of the Asian Table Tennis Union, Mr Khalil Al Mohannadi, said the Union appreciated the potential for the development of table tennis in Laos.
He believed that with further support and training, the skills of Lao coaches could be improved and management of the sport enhanced.
Mr Al Mohannadi and his staff watched the championships in Vientiane, which took place at the ITECC Mall.
On behalf of the government, Prof. Dr Kikeo thanked the Asian Table Tennis Union for supporting Laos to host the championships.
The government is working to improve sport in Laos under the Ministry of Education and Sports, which had shared in the organisation of the table tennis championships in Vientiane, he said.
The event has been a success and Lao table tennis players have benefitted from the experience, he added, while building friendships with players from the 18 countries taking part in the championships.
Prof. Dr Kikeo said he greatly appreciated the assistance of the Asian Table Tennis Union and was confident that Laos would be able to host a bigger and better event in the future.
Mr Al Mohannadi said he believed Laos would build on the experience and the country’s table tennis players would play a greater role on the international stage in the future. 
The Asian Table Tennis Union would provide further support through the organisation of training courses and other activities, he added.
More than 160 table tennis players from 18 countries took part in the championships, including 16 Lao players.
They competed in the U-15 category (boys’ and girls’ singles, boys’ and girls’ team events) and the U-19 category (boys’ and girls’ singles and doubles, mixed, boys’ and girls’ team, and girls’ team events).
The winners, and those placed second in each division, will have an opportunity to compete in the World Youth Championships later this year.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 6, 2022)