DOHA: The Chinese Table Tennis Association has thanked Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) for extending their help to train at the Aspire Academy.
The 29-member Chinese team have been training in the Qatari capital for the past week following the conclusion of the 2020 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg.
“When I heard about the Coronavirus in China, our worry was that the Chinese national team would not be able to play at the Qatar Open. For me it is not the Qatar Open and not the World Championships without China. We are all part of the ITTF family. I need to thank the government, the Aspire Academy, Aspetar and everyone else involved in the process,” said QTTA President and ITTF Deputy President Khalil Al Mohannadi.
Due to the widespread outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus across China, the Chinese team has decided to conduct its training camp here where its biggest stars will participate in the ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open from March 3-8 March.
QTTA springs to action in quick time
The QTTA has helped to arrange a high-quality training environment for the Chinese team with just a single day’s notice after receiving confirmation from the Chinese team on its plans.
This includes a 15-table set up, the best facilities for physical training, rehabilitation, medical equipment, meals and accommodation.
“We are very grateful for all the assistance provided to us during this time of difficulty. We didn’t expect that they could prepare the venue, tables and facilities for us within such a short period of time. The tables that we are using for training are those that will be used at the Qatar Open,” said CTTA President Liu Guoliang.
“QTTA has even given us all two thousand balls that they had in storage for us to train. It might be a common situation in China but it’s very heart-warming, especially during this particular period and we really appreciate all this help from our international friends.”
Liu had received invitations from ITTF President Thomas Weikert, representing Germany, as well as from Austria, Japan and many more, to train at their respective training facilities.
But the Chinese team accepted QTTA’s invitation as they can prepare for the ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open and will remain in the country to bolster its preparations for the upcoming 2020 World Team Championships in Busan (KOR) from March 22-29.
