Chongqing - From June 30 to July 6, 2024, the 28th Asian Youth Championships - Tournaments for table tennis will be grandly held in Chongqing. 

Authorized by the Asian Table Tennis Union and hosted by the Chinese Table Tennis Association, this event will be undertaken by the Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Sports and the Yubei District People's Government. The competition will be divided into two age groups, U19 (junior) and U15 (cadet), featuring seven days of intense competition. Teams from more than 30 Asian countries and regions, including China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and more, are expected to participate, with approximately 450 athletes.

As Asia's largest and most prestigious youth table tennis event, the Championships will be held in Southwestern China for the first time, marking the event's return to China after 12 years. China's national sport, table tennis, enjoys a solid grassroots foundation and widespread participation in Chongqing. During the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup 2023 in Chengdu, Chongqing ranked third in ticket sales nationwide. The city also hosts multiple large-scale table tennis events annually, accumulating rich experience and fostering a positive atmosphere for organizing competitions.

During the WTT Champions Chongqing, Sun Yingsha competed against Swedish player Linda Bergström. (Photo/Qi Lansan from Chongqing Daily)

The Championships will take place at the Chongqing Yubei District Gymnasium. In preparation, Yubei has undertaken comprehensive upgrades to the venue, equipping it with advanced competition facilities, including high-standard tables and lighting systems, to ensure athletes perform at their best. Additionally, high-definition large screens have been installed in the stadium to capture and replay exciting moments in real-time.

Chongqing Yubei District Gymnasium. (Photo/Chongqing Yubei District Gymnasium)

Yubei has established nine special working groups dedicated to service and support, including security, reception, and other tasks. Over 200 specific volunteers and more than 1,000 city volunteers have been recruited and trained to provide comprehensive services and support for participants and referees. The organizers have also meticulously prepared a variety of Chongqing specialties and international cuisines to meet the diverse dietary needs of the participants.

The Championships not only serve as a platform for young table tennis players in Asia to compete and exchange but also as a vital avenue for nurturing future table tennis talents. The Chongqing Table Tennis Association will leverage this event to strengthen connections with domestic and international professional table tennis institutions, aiming to bring more high-profile events to Chongqing. Additionally, the association will actively promote the popularization of table tennis in Chongqing, cultivate more outstanding table tennis talents, and use modern media to widely publicize the event, expanding its influence and attracting more public participation.

On May 27, 2024, at Yudong NO.4 Elementary School in Banan District, student representatives exchanged table tennis skills with renowned Chinese national team players. (Photo/Huang Jinglin from Chongqing Daily)

Hosting the 228th Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships - Tournaments will increase the number of young table tennis players in Chongqing, accumulate valuable experience in event organization and service support, and further enhance Chongqing's ability to host high-level sports events. This will significantly promote the development of youth sports, ignite a passion for table tennis among young people, foster healthy lifestyles, and provide strong support for Chongqing's goal of becoming a prominent sports city.