QTTA to host four WTT tournaments in January

The Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) on Sunday announced plans to host a combined World Table Tennis (WTT) World Championship events, featuring four tournaments under one banner.
Doha serves as the bridge between seasons, concluding the 2023 WTT campaign with the thrilling Professional Tour Finals on January 3-5. The baton then passes seamlessly to the 2024 season, commencing in the same city with the WTT Star Contender tournament scheduled for January 8-13. This seamless transition promises an uninterrupted flow of table tennis excellence, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Following the WTT Star Contender the action continues with the third tournament, the WTT Contender running from January 14th to 20th. This event offers even more opportunities for talented players to showcase their skills and vie for championship glory.
The grand finale of the entire championship series arrives with the WTT Youth Contender taking place from January 22nd to 25th. This prestigious competition shines a spotlight on the bright stars of tomorrow, showcasing the future of table tennis and giving fans a glimpse of the next generation of champions.
The announcement of the combined WTT World Championships - to be hosted by the QTTA - took place on Sunday at Al Bidda Tower. The press conference was attended by Khalil bin Ahmed al-Mohannadi, Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee and president of QTT. Mohamed Abdullah Saleh, Vice-Chairman of the Organising Committee and Ali Sultan al-Muftah, Tournament Director, also spoke on the occasion.
The four tournaments boast a combined prize money of approximately $750,000, with winners in each taking home their share of this substantial reward. A total of 700 players will be in action during the events. This includes the elite group of 16 top seeds competing in the professional singles finals and eight of the world’s best doubles players.
“The month of January will not only welcome an elite group of world champions and top players, but also a sizeable contingent of guests and delegations from around the globe. This signifies a significant moment for Qatari table tennis, showcasing its ability to organise world-class competitions,” said al-Mohannadi.
“The competitions will kick off at the Lusail Multipurpose Sports Hall with the WTT Finals Men marking the launch of the World Professional Tour Finals for men under its new format. This is the third edition of the event, with previous editions held in Singapore, Germany, and most recently, Japan for the women’s championship,” he added.
“The men’s professional tour finals, kicking off January 3rd and concluding on January 5th, 2024, will showcase the world’s top 16 players in a fierce battle for ultimate glory. These elite athletes, including Chinese stars like Ma Long and Fan Zhendong, Japanese prodigy Tomokazu Harimoto, Brazilian sensation Hugo Calderano, and German national team standouts, will compete solely based on their global rankings, ensuring the participation of only the very best,” he added.
Al-Mohannadi also highlighted the significance of these championships as a valuable rehearsal for Qatar’s upcoming hosting of the 2025 World Cup. tee, expressing eagerness for the tournament guests to arrive. Ticket sales for the event are being conducted entirely online, accessible to both Qatar residents and international fans.