More than 100 players from eight countries and territories will compete in the 32nd Open Golden Racket International Table Tennis Tournament 2018 in Ho Chi Minh City from July 4-7. 

The organizers said at a press conference on June 30 that the contestants come from Taiwan (China), Hong Kong (China), the Republic of Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. 

The Vietnamese players include members of the Quan Doi Club, Vicem Hoang Thach – Hai Duong Club, Petrosetco Ho Chi Minh City Club, and athletes from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Vinh Long province. 

Participants will compete in men and women’s singles, and men and women’s team categories. 

General Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Table Tennis Federation Tu Nhan Luan said the tournament will see the presence of many strong players such as Jiang Tianyi (63rd place in world’s men’s ranking) and Mak Tze Wing (123rd place in world women’s ranking). 

Thailand also sent Orawan Paranang (183rd place globally and the current champion of the tournament) and Nanthana Komwong (151st place), who are expected to be key players to defend Thailand’s championship title in the women’s team category. 

The competition is also part of preparations for the Vietnamese team ahead of the 18th Asian Games to be held in Indonesia. 

The total awards are worth over 250 million VND (10,950 USD), with 30 million VND in cash for the team’s title and 20 million VND for single’s title.-VNA