Marikina hosts SEA table tennis tourney

MANILA, Philippines - The seventh Southeast Asia Table Tennis championships will be held on Dec. 12-15 at the Marikina Hotel and Convention Center in Marikina City.

Mayor Del de Guzman said hosting this biennial event is a great opportunity for the city to show Marikina’s culture of hospitality and warmth.

“We welcome the delegates to our city and assure them of a great Marikina experience,” De Guzman said.

The event is expected to draw up to 100 participants from Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia and host Philippines.

Table Tennis Association of the Philippines vice-president Jose Ortalla Jr. said Marikina had presented a better offer to host the international event sanctioned by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

“The City of Marikina gave us the assurance and security that they can serve 11 countries,” said Ortalla, expressing gratitude to Marikina for providing the venue, accommodations, transportation and manpower.

Ortalla also said acting TATAP president Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV is also very thankful to De Guzman for hosting SEATTA. Trillanes IV is now also recognized by the ITTF as the Philippines’ table tennis president.

“I’m excited to see that our country will host this prestigious table tennis event for the first time in history,” said board secretary lawyer Domingo Panlilio.

2008 SEATTA singles champion Richard Gonzales leads the local cast which includes Ting Ledesma, Rodel Valle and Joselito Almazan. The women entries are Ian Lariba, Arlyn Borja, Chrisanta Abas and Sendrina Balatbat.