18 clubs compete in Silatama

JAKARTA (JP): Eighteen renowned table tennis clubs have confirmed their participation in the Table Tennis National Circuit (Silatama) here from March 1 to March 4.

Chief of the organizing committee, Ananda Isman, said on Monday that the participants had undergone tight selection procedures, such as having produced athletes who have notched up national and international achievements and have entered the top five in the 2000 National Games (PON) in East Java last June.

He also complained about a shortage of women players in the Silatama.

"There are only six clubs that have registered women players here. There is no significant increase in the number of women participants, but we have made every effort to intensify the women's training," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Silatama offers a total of Rp 25 million (US$2,600) in prize money. (ivy)