The last elite event of the year will open for 16 men and 16 women, a remarkable increase in the number of players compared to previous years.

Apart from the eight men and eight women who achieved the best results at the recent national championships, other slots are given to those who placed first and second at the national junior and youth competitions and winners of U14 and U15 events.

It will be the first time that young players compete against their seniors in an official tournament.

“The higher number of participants is expected to develop the sport. Athletes will have more games to play through the event. The young players will have the chance to compete and sharpen their skills,” said Phan Anh Tuấn, head of the Table Tennis Department at the National Sports Administration.

Athletes will be divided into groups competing in two stages to vie for medals.

Last year, Nguyen Thi Nga of Hanoi beat Mai Hoang My Trang of Petrosetco to take the women’s gold while Nguyen Anh Tu, also from Hanoi, won against Dinh Quang Linh of the Military team for the men’s title. — VNS