India, Singapore start favourites in Commonwealth TT Championship

Jaipur, May 29 (UNI) Defending champions India and Singapore start as favourites in men's and women's sections respectively in the 17th Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship beginning at Sawai Man Singh indoor hall here tomorrow.

Seventeen men and 16 women teams will vie for top honours.

India start their campaign against Scotland in a Group B tie while Singapore take on Pakistan in women's Group A encounter.

In all, 98 matches will be played for the team event including 47 in women's section.

Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) Secretary General Moolchand Chouhan and Commonwealth Table Tennis Union Chairman Alan Ransome told newspersons here today that the teams have been divided into four groups and after the league matches, two teams from each group will qualify for the knock-out round.

The matches will be played on nine tables including one center table.

Organising Secretary D R Choudhary said team events will be played on first three days followed by individual events with the finals scheudled for June 5.

Doordarshan will talecast the matches live on DD Sports Chennel on all days from 0009 to 1200 hrs and from 1500 to 1900 hrs.

This is for the fourth time that the Commonwealth Championship is being held in the country after being hosted in Mumbai (1982), Hyderabad (1994) and New Delhi (2001).

India figure in a comparatively easy Group B along with Malaysia, Scotland and Bangladesh in men's section while they are in Group D along with England, South Africa and Maldives in women's section.

Following are the groups: Men: Group A: Singapore, South Africa, Canada, Northern Irland and Botswana.

Group B: India, Malaysia, Scotland, Bangladesh.

Group C: Nigeria, New Zealand, Wales, Sri Lanka Group D: Australia, England, Cyprus, Pakistan.

Women: Group A: Singapore, New Zealand, Pakistan, Botswana.

Group B: Australia, Canada, Wales, Sri Lanka Group C: Malaysia, Nigeria, Scotland, Bangladesh Group D: India, England, South Africa, Maldives UNI MY PDS TB VV1541