Tubusereia hosts table tennis open

Sports
Cousins Emily Winnie and Catherine Richard showing their medals and trophies from the open women’s finals. –Pictures supplied

THE Tubusereia Table Tennis Association hosted an open championship during the weekend that attracted teams who participated in the two-day event.
The championship is a lead-up to the Papua New Guinea Table Tennis Federation’s national championships on Friday.
Participants competed in the open men’s and women’s doubles division, open singles, juniors and veterans division.
Tournament director David Loi said PNG internationals like himself, Geoffrey Loi, among other senior experienced players did not participate in the event as they wanted to give the opportunity to upcoming players. “We gave the opportunity to young upcoming talents to compete against each other so it can boost their confidence,” he said.
The finals were dominated by players from the Tubusereia Association who held the upper hand against players from Central villages Gabagaba, Porebada, Goralatana, Gotam, Kadeboro and Hanuabada.
The highlight of the tournament was the performance of cousins Emily Winnie and Catherine Richard, who won the open women’s doubles final.
Another notable performance was by 12-year-old Hereva Richard who won the under-12, U15 and U18 singles finals.
Richard said he was looking forward to the championships in Port Moresby this week and hoped to make a mark in the future.
“Playing at that level will boost my experience to be a better player in the future,” he said.
Loi acknowledged PNG Table Tennis president George Shao, who attended the event along with lawyer Nelson Saroa.
Shao and Saroa each gave K2,000 to the tournament and pledged their continued support and sponsorship for future tournaments.
The top players from the tournament will take part in the national championships in Port Moresby on Jan 29-31.