China-Madagascar table tennis exchange competition held in Changsha

A China-Madagascar table tennis exchange competition was held at the table tennis gym of the Changsha Sports Training Competition Management Center on April 8, aiming to further promote a series of international sports cultural exchange activities with countries along the Belt and Road and show the charm of table tennis.

Twenty-three athletes and coaches from Madagascar's national team and Changsha's Changjun High School and the High School Attached to Hunan Normal University were invited to participate in the competition. At the opening ceremony, the participating athletes from China and Madagascar sent each other gifts with auspicious meanings, rich cultural elements, and characteristics of their own countries.

Athletes were divided into three groups: mixed doubles, men's singles, and women's singles. The final matches were played in best-of-five format, while the rest were best-of-three. During the competition, the players were fully engaged in the competition, showing a high level of skill, concentration, and competitiveness. The competition was full of thrilling rallies and intense moments. The bouncing table tennis ball has helped deepen mutual understanding and friendship between young people of China and Madagascar.

The Madagascar team members coming to Hunan for training is part of a national emergency program for sports cooperation with and technical assistance to Madagascar. It aims to help Malagasy athletes improve their performance in international multi-sport events and individual events and prepare for the 11th Indian Ocean Islands Games, which will be held in August 2023.

The event was hosted by the Hunan Sports Industry Group Co., Ltd. and the Changsha Municipal Sports Bureau and undertaken by the Hunan Sports International Cultural Exchange Center Co., Ltd. and the Changsha Sports Training Competition Management Center.