Looking To Asia For Table Tennis

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31662, 24 April 1968, Page 12

Looking To Asia For Table Tennis

New Zealand was very keen to gain entry to the Asian table tennis championships in the future, the manager of the New Zealand team at the South-East Asia Pacific area tournament (Mr A. B. McCallum) at the week-end.

Mr McCallum returned to Christchurch from Melbourne on Saturday after the completion of the first Seapatt tour-

nament. “New Zealand and Australia, which is also keen to compete in Asia, would have to get the agreement of the International Table Tennis Federation,” he said, “The Asian championships* boundaries would then need to be amended and the Oceania area (Australia and New Zealand) deleted from the world groupings. “Seapatt is now an embarrassment to all. Most of the Asian countries are already committed to other regular championships the Asian, South-East Asia and Pacific tournaments. There is further duplication with the Asian Games every four years. Korea-Japan Rivalry “Seapatt can be arranged only when convenient to all the likely entries,” he said. “The next championships would revolve around the top Asian nations competing. If Japan did so. South Korea would enter, ibecause the Koreans are keen to beat the Japanese at every opportunity.

“The Asian teams at the Seapatt championships were very enthusiastic about New Zealand and Australia playing in the Asian championships in future. From New Zealand’s viewpoint, it would be a much more realistic approach because this would be the best competition - our players could get.

“New Zealand would not be keen to press the possibility of future Seapatt championships if

it could get into the Aslan championships. We could apply to stage the Asian championships eventually if our application for entry was accepted in-

stead of our intention to run a Seapatt championship. “I feel very encouraged by the progress made in Melbourne.” said Mr McCallum. "I am certain New’ Zealand will benefit tremendously. Players from Japan and South Korea were very keen to come to New r Zealand to coach. This is something that will have to be looked into closely.” Women for Aust. Tests Mr McCallum also said that future international contests between Australia and New Zealand would include women players. For some years New Zealand and Australia have exchanged tours every two years but these have been confined to men.