Geelong to host major table tennis tournament

GEELONG will be serving up the action on and off the courts when it hosts the Australian Open of Table Tennis in July.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren joined Geelong MP Christine Couzens and table tennis champion Wade Townsend in Geelong earlier this week to make the announcement and promote the upcoming world tournament.

The Australian Open of Table Tennis is one of six platinum series events of the World Tour of the International Table Tennis Federation.

More than 180 athletes from more than 20 countries will converge on Geelong – including Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Germany and France – competing for $400,000 in prize money in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles events.

The event is expected to draw thousands of spectators to Geelong and the surrounding region and will be broadcast to more than 80 countries, with more than 100 million viewers expected in China alone.

“The Australian Open of Table Tennis is a major drawcard on our enviable sporting calendar – shining the international spotlight on Geelong and attracting more visitors to our region,” Mr Eren said.

“Our Aussies are in great shape ahead of the grand slam of table tennis with the likes of Wade Townsend, Melissa Tapper and their team-mates. We wish them all the best come July.” 

The Australian Open of Table Tennis will host two community days on July 26-27, aiming to engage with primary school pupils and people with a disability.

The state government secured the tournament through the Regional Events Fund, which supports major events such as the Festival of Sails, Queenscliff Music Festival and the Geelong Revival Motoring Festival.