The second event in this season’s Table Tennis Grand Prix tournament is to take place on Friday at the University Sports Complex, Maria Theresa Spinelli Street, Gzira.
.Admission is free and spectators are welcome to watch Malta’s top talent taking part in this action packed event.
Starting at 7.30pm, this special tournament is contested between the 24 highest ranked players in Malta.
Each participant plays a total of six matches during the evening, which means spectators can view no fewer than 72 singles matches, where eight matches are being played simultaneously on eight tables.
The Grand Prix tournament is made up of four events throughout the season. The first event resulted in a most memorable final between two of Malta’s top stars, Edward Baldacchino and Mario Genovese.
The standings after the first event are: -
In first place Edward Baldacchino, 2nd Mario Genovese, 3rd Alex Soler, 4th Mark Azzopardi, 5th Claudio Tufigno, followed in order by, Victor Grech, David Pace, Joe Borg Cardona, Ralph Azzopardi, Paul Dawson, Dimitri Zelyko, Sasa Orghanovic, Guo Ming, Kevin Abela, Mario Dimech, Paul Farrugia, Leslie Bajada, Paul Micallef, Yayi Ming, John Azzopardi, Noel Schembri, Stefan Tabone, Thomas Vella and Frans Scerri.
Moroccan runner Abdel Kebir Marchanne will be defending his title when the Malta Marathon is staged on Sunday 27 February.
The 20th edition is again being sponsored by BMW.
The organisers announced yesterday that there will be some changes to the route of the Marathon as well as that of the Half Marathon mostly due to the road works under way around Mosta and Zebbug.
The finish will be as usual at The Ferries in Sliema, where there will be some activities, among them a 2km fun run for children and parents which starts at 9am.
More than 400 Maltese athletes are taking part in the two main events. The match batch of the foreign runners hail from Germany – over 140 participants. The UK follows with 70 and for the first time ever there will be some runners from Slovenia. In all, it is estimated that there will be around 250 foreigners taking part this year.
Joe Micallef, representing the organisers, said they were expecting an increase of participants this year.
Marchanne is expected to be challenged seriously by an Italian athlete this year. They will be doing their utmost to set up a new record for the Malta Marathon which is still in the hands of Hugh Jones on 2:19.30, established in 1993. Paul Pickup, winner of the first edition in 1986, will also be taking part.
Among those taking part in the Half Marathon will be Carol Galea, who has now won the event on 11 occasions, while, among the male runners, Charles Cilia should be considered the favourite to be the first Maltese home.
The closing date to register for participation is 19 February between 11am and 3pm at the Hotel Metropole in Sliema, the headquarters of the event.