Challengers out to dethrone champs Sandakan
KOTA KINABALU: Sandakan are expected to face strong challenges despite possessing what it takes to try and defend their titles at the State Level Table Tennis Championships, next month.
The tournament at the Dewan Sri Putatan in Putatan from September 1-3 will see Sandakan displaying an impressive line-up to try and help them retain their titles in the men's and women's team events.
Aside from having former national player Chai Kiang Peng who was the men's singles champion last year, Sandakan also have four-time champion Lam See Fung.
However, they are expected to face strong challenges especially from Keningau who have threetime winner Chan Chee Yang and former Malaysian player Ang Ting Yuen, who is making a come-back.
Kota Kinabalu and Tawau are also contenders as both districts have made solid preparation and are ready to spring some surprises.
But aside from top players, Sandakan also have consistency in Lam See Vui. The top brass in the women's category effectively ended Tawau's six-year domination, taking advantage of ex-national player Chiu Soo Jin's absence from competition, last year.
See Vui will lead Sandakan's title defence, while Tawau shall avail themselves of their threesister strike force of Qiao Wen, Qiao Xin and Qiao Ni. They will certainly be a force to be reckoned with, while 17-year-old Aidah Wong and seasoned campaigner Han Shin Nee are two players to look out for in the Kota Kinabalu camp.
Organisers also expect top notch action in the men's singles category where Keningau's Kiang Peng is likely to face strong rivalry from his team-mates See Fung, Chan Chee Yang and Ang Ting Yuen.
Kota Kinabalu will also be in the fight with hopes resting on the shoulders of Alan Albert Au who cannot be ruled out as a main contender.
Meanwhile, the women's singles could see a repeat of last year's final as See Vui and Aidah are expected to rally through.
It will certainly be an interesting affair as the Qiao sisters bring their challenges for a potential spot in the final.
Kota Kinabalu Table Tennis Association (KKTTA) president Edward Chua said the championship will also feature other categories namely men's veteran, Perpaduan singles (men and women) and men's and women's under-18, u-15, u13 and u10.
A total of 340 players and 60 officials from 11 teams will be involved in this year's edition of the annual championship.
The participating teams are Beaufort, Kudat, Lahad Datu, Papar, Ranau, Tenom and Tuaran, aside from Sandakan, Keningau, Kota Kinabalu and Tawau.