100 players take part in Silatama, Silataruna

JAKARTA (JP): The Table Tennis Main Circuit (Silatama) and the Table Tennis Youth Circuit (Silataruna) commenced on Thursday at the Bulungan Sports Hall in Blok M area, South Jakarta.

More than 100 table tennis players from 15 table tennis clubs participate in both circuits, which are used to evaluate national players being groomed for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur in September, and also to scout for new talent.

There are 12 table tennis clubs grouped in two pools in the men's main circuit and five clubs in the women's division. Meanwhile in the youth circuit, there are five clubs in the men's division and six clubs in the women's.

Both circuits use the round robin system.

The first day of competition has already been marred by controversy with a protest launched by Surya club, based in Kediri, East Java, questioning the validity of David Yacobs and Zainuddin representing the Jakarta-based Sinar Surya club.

"Neither player was registered at the draw meeting, but suddenly they appear today representing Sinar Surya," said Surya manager Tantan Agistiana, as quoted by Antara news agency.

"We protest to uphold the regulations and sportsmanship."

The organizing committee then decided to allow both players to represent Sinar Surya club in the circuit by replacing the previous draw.

"This is simply for the benefit of all participants," said Ananda Isman, chief of the organizing committee. (nvn)