Twenty-two countries have accepted Glasgow’s invitation to play in the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships later this month. Over 170 players will compete, including the Commonwealth’s Top Five table tennis nations; Singapore, Nigeria, India, England and Canada.

The prestigious event is the first Commonwealth championships to be held in Glasgow since it was selected Host City of the 2014 Games. The 18th Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships will be held at Scotstoun Leisure Centre, from 19th to 25th May, further enhancing Glasgow’s reputation as an international city of sport.

Current Scottish champion, Gavin Rumgay, who has just returned from the World Championships in Yokohama, Japan said hosting the championship in Glasgow is great news for him and everyone involved in table tennis in Scotland.

He continued: “This event will raise the profile of table tennis in Scotland, encourage investment and bring new people to the sport. Personally, I’m relishing the thought of playing against the best in the Commonwealth. And I’m convinced competing in front of a home crowd, with my family in the audience, is all the motivation needed to hopefully spur me on to my finest ever performance to date.”

The best in the Commonwealth will indeed be in Glasgow. Ning Gao, the Commonwealth’s Number 1 table tennis player will compete in the Championships, together with the other top ten ranking male players and six of the top ten female players in the Commonwealth.

Despite the current economic downturn the Championships highlight Glasgow’s enduring appeal as a visitor destination with almost 500 people from overseas are expected to visit during the Championships, together with hundreds more travelling from the Home Nation.

The event sees the culmination of a month long celebration of sport in the city, which starts on Sunday when up to 12,000 runners are expected to take part in the UK’s largest all-women 10k road race. Then on the 15 and 16 May gymnastics will take centre stage when the Kelvin Hall International Sporting Arena hosts the 14th Glasgow Grand Prix, and important world cup qualifying event.

The city’s youngsters will be afforded the opportunity to watch the world’s best in action as part of a city-wide carnival of sport. All primary school children in Glasgow have been invited to see the action up close at the Championships and to participate in development sessions designed to encourage more people to try table tennis and increase their physical fitness.

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for Glasgow 2014, said: “The City is honoured to host the Championships for the second time. It is another important step in Glasgow’s preparations for the Commonwealth Games, as Table Tennis will also take centre stage at Scotstoun in 2014.

“A competition of this stature, attracting top-flight players from around the Commonwealth, is certain to capture the public’s imagination, boosting the sport’s popularity across Scotland. Table Tennis is a sport that is easily accessible to people of all ages and abilities. The recent achievements of the young athletes from Drumchapel Table Tennis Club, in winning the British League, only reinforces my belief that sport makes a real and positive difference to peoples’ lives”.

Jonathan Whitaker, Chairman of Table Tennis Scotland, added; “We are delighted the Federation chose Glasgow for the 2009 Championship and we are confident it will be a major success. We are hopeful the event will leave a lasting legacy for the people of Scotland and that many more people may take up the sport on their way to becoming a fitter, healthier and more enthused nation.

Tickets for the 2009 Championships can be purchased by calling 08444 815 787 or from Commonwealth Table Tennis