SEVEN-TIME world women’s table tennis champion Liu Wei of China will be the guest of honor in the 15th Uni Orient Cup TATAND Interscholastic Table Tennis League featuring over 1,200 players from 308 teams, which opens tomorrow at the San Beda University basketball court in Mendiola, Manila.
Liu competed actively from 1989 to 1996 and dominated the global table tennis scene until she finally retired to continue her education, securing her doctorate degree in 2015. She presently is an associate professor at the prestigious Beijing University.
In recognition of her table tennis accomplishments and her efforts in promoting the sport, France in 2017 awarded Liu with the Jurade de St. Emilion, a distinction given to people who have made their mark in their chosen discipline, becoming the first Chinese to receive such honor.
“We are proud and honored to have Ms. Liu as our featured guest in the 15th Uni Orient Cup,” said Kenny Wong, president of the organizing Table Tennis Association for National Development, of her presence at the local table tennis showcase.
Liu will also be available during the sports forum at the SBU audio-visual room shortly after the opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. of the two-day competition supported by Uni Orient Travel headed by chairman Stephen Techico, the Philippine Sports Commission and San Beda University.
“We welcome the staging of the 15th Uni Orient Cup TATAND Interscholastic Table Tennis League because this provides our aspiring table tennis players an opportunity to showcase their talents and skills,” said commissioner Ramon Fernandez, who is the PSC officer-in-charge.
“This is one way where the private sector can be an active and effective partner in promoting grassroots sports development,” Fernandez, who was also invited to the opening ceremonies, added.
Over P400,000 in prizes both in cash and in kind will also be at stake in the tournament, revealed TATAND organizing committee chairman Charlie Lim.
“We want our players to be even more motivated to give their best so this is why we are offering these incentives,” Lim said.
The outstanding paddlers during the competition will also be rewarded with an all-expense paid tour to Beijing courtesy of Uni Orient Travel, Lim said.
Top varsity squads from both the UAAP and NCAA will be vying in the collegiate division, among them National University and La Salle, the reigning UAAP men’s and women’s table tennis champions, respectively, NCAA men’s champion College of St. Benilde and women’s titlist San Beda.