Macau is hosting its first international youth table tennis training camp until next Monday, bringing together 14 teams and more than 80 athletes and coaches from Southeast Asia, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and Macau.
The “2026 International Youth Table Tennis Training Camp” opened yesterday at the Athletes Training and Development Centre in Cotai, co-organised by the Sports Bureau (ID) and the Macau Table Tennis General Association (澳門乒乓總會).
The camp features six teams – from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand, alongside six teams from the GBA cities of Foshan, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhongshan and Zhuhai, according to a statement by the bureau yesterday. Two local teams are also participating, the statement noted.
Addressing the opening ceremony, ID Vice President Cheang Kai Meng said the event demonstrated Macau’s active role in promoting regional sports exchanges and its importance as a platform for cooperation. Table tennis is a popular sport both locally and nationally, he said, adding that the camp had invited former world champion Zhang Chao and former national team player Cao Xingni to provide on-site coaching throughout the five-day programme, supported by professional sparring partners.
The camp is aimed at players aged 15 to 18, a crucial stage for technical development and mental preparation, the statement noted. Cheang said training alongside talented players from different countries and regions would help participants improve their skills, gain broader perspectives and build friendships. He also said that the Sports Bureau hoped the camp would strengthen regular table tennis exchanges between Macau, the other GBA cities and Southeast Asian countries, while encouraging coordinated development of youth table tennis.
He also thanked the Macau Table Tennis General Association for organising the event and acknowledged the support by coaches, athletes and relevant government entities.
Young paddlers practise during yesterday’s “2026 International Youth Table Tennis Training Camp” at the Athletes Training and Development Centre in Cotai. – Photo: Khalel Vallo
