ANTTA finalises six players for Asian Table Tennis C'ships

All Nepal Table Tennis Association (ANTTA) has selected six players for the Asian Table Tennis Championships 2021. The selection of players was made through the table tennis competition held among open participants and SAF gold medalists. 

Three males and three females have been selected through the competition held at National Table Tennis Hall, Lainchaur today. In the men’s category, Binesh Khaniya, Amar Lal Shrestha and Santoo Shrestha were selected. Likewise, Sikka Suwal, Evana Thapa Magar and Elina Maharjan were selected in the women’s category.

In today’s final phase of selection, a total of 20 players competed — 10 players from open selections and 10 others who were SAF medalists.

Of the six selected players, two had participated in open selections while four others were SAF medalists.

National coach of Table Tennis, Rajendra Kapali, told NepalNews that the selected six players will now be included in closed camp training from August 24. The players will be in the training until their departure to take part in the Asian Table Tennis Championships 2021.

"Hardwork is my key to success, even during the lockdown, I did not take rest for a single day. I managed a board and trained every day", said Sikka Suwal who has been hailed as no. 1 in today's competition in the female category. The upcoming international competition will be Suwal's third participation in the international game.

Likewise, 13-year-old Evana Thapa Magar from Adarsha Vidhya Mandir(AVM) has been hailed as no.2 after she defeated top seated players. "I trained hard together with Sikka Suwal during the lockdown", says Evana, who is Suwal's training partner. She said Suwal is also the reason for her getting into table tennis.

Both expressed their happiness for getting the opportunity to play in an international competition side-by-side.

Asian Table Tennis Championships 2021 will be held in Qatar from September 28 to October 5.