World Table Tennis (WTT) Director and International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) CEO Steve Dainton said yesterday he “hoped” to make WTT Macau a regular event.
Dainton made the remarks during the WTT Macau 2020 Draw Ceremony at Galaxy Oasis Ballroom at Galaxy Macau in Cotai yesterday. It is the first time that Macau is hosting the global ping-pong contest.
WTT Macau 2020, co-organised by the Sports Bureau (ID), World Table Tennis (WTT) and the Macau Table Tennis General Association, and presented by Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), will be held from today to Sunday at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion.
According to a Sports Bureau statement yesterday, WTT Macau 2020 gathers the world’s top players to compete in the men’s and women’s singles. The statement noted that the top four seeds will each play two matches to determine the order of seeds for the quarterfinals. The statement pointed out that on Day One the top seeds face off seed 1 against seed 4, with seed 2 taking on seed 3, adding that on Day Two the matches depend on the results on Day One.
According to the statement, the world’s top players such as Ma Long and Ding Ning from mainland China, Mattias Falck from Sweden and Lily Zhang from the US will be competing today and tomorrow.
The statement noted that WTT Macau’s staff and players have been in mainland China since October where they have undergone 14 days’ quarantine. The statement also pointed out that before entering Macau, the players and staff tested negative for the novel coronavirus, adding that during the competition period they must also comply with the anti-pandemic guidelines and regulations set by the Macau Health Bureau (SSM).
The statement said that the organisers require the spectators to wear a facemask, have their temperature checked and present a valid Macau Health Code before entering the venue.
According to the statement, for those interested in watching the competition, tickets can be bought on-site at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion. The tickets are valid only for the designated date with free-seating. Local residents, pupils, students and seniors citizens (aged at least 65) are entitled to a discount when purchasing tickets at designated Circle K convenience stores and on-site ticketing counters. Their tickets cost just 10 patacas on weekdays and 20 patacas on the weekend.
Regular tickets for Saturday’s semi-finals and Sunday’s finals cost 30 patacas. Regular tickets for today, tomorrow and Friday are priced at 15 patacas.
WTT Director and International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) CEO Steve Dainton (from left to right), WTT Council Chair Liu Guoliang and WTT players Ding Ning from mainland China, Mattias Falck from Sweden, Lily Zhang from the US, Ma Long from mainland China as well as Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) Vice Chairman Francis Lui Yiu-tung pose during the WTT Macau 2020 Draw Ceremony at the Galaxy Oasis Ballroom in Cotai yesterday. Photo: Sports Bureau
