Qatar host of the 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals and the Star Awards Gala is aiming to deliver a ‘perfect show’ from December 8 to 11.
“We will be working hard to ensure that the 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals and ITTF Star Awards will be presented at a higher level than the table tennis world has ever seen," said Khalil Al Mohannadi (pictured), the President of the Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) and the Deputy President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).
Qatar is no stranger to hosting top level table tennis events, having organized the ITTF World Tour Qatar Open (Super Series since 1997) and the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships in 2004.
Doha is one of the most established members of the ITTF World Tour the hosting of the event in Doha reflects the efforts of QTTA to encompass the whole gambit of activities.
“QTTA has been a long time organizer on the ITTF World Tour with the yearly Qatar Open and it has been a long term goal to host one day also the prestigious year-ending Grand Finals”, added Al Mohannadi.
“We are so happy to bring the event to Doha in 2016”, the QTTA President said.
The hosts along with the Chinese shipping company Seamaster has secured the naming rights for forthcoming the twin ITTF events in Doha.
“The ITTF is very happy that Seamaster has come on board for our two prestigious end-of-year events”, said Thomas Weikert, ITTF President.
Al Mohannadi, President of QTTA and Deputy President of the International Table Tennis Federation, welcomed the support from Seamaster.
“We are thrilled to have such a big company like Seamaster involved with our two events in Doha”, enthused Al Mohannadi. “It’s with great pleasure for Qatar that we are able to secure support, and also to secure such high level events with the long term and massive support of our Olympic Committee and government.”
The 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals will be held in the state-of-the-art Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena which opened only one year ago for the 2015 World Handball Championships.
The grand finals will engage the world's best table tennis players flocking to Doha to compete, as only the top 16 men and 16 women who have accumulated the most points in the 'Race to Doha' over the 20 ITTF World Tour events qualify for the tournament.
They will be joined by the top 8 men's and 8 women's pairs on the World Tour doubles point ranking, as well as 8 men's and 8 women's under-21 players, to round up the success year of the ITTF World Tour in 2016.
Additionally, provided the eligibility regulations are met, the host association is eligible to be represented in each event.
The 2016 ITTF World Tour is categorized into three tiers (highest first): Super Series (6 events), Major Series (6 events), and Challenge Series (8 events). The higher the series, the more prize money, world ranking points, 'Race to Doha' ranking points, and the higher quality of event on offer.
Along with the World Tour Grand Finals, Doha will also host the fourth edition of the ITTF Star Awards on 8 December to celebrate the table tennis stars for their achievements in 2016.
