Doha, May 18 (QNA) - The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) praised the excellent organization of the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025, which will run until May 25, with the participation of 640 players representing 127 countries, with 256 competing in the singles, 256 in the men's and women's doubles, and 128 in the mixed doubles, for a total of 443 matches.

The ITTF published a lengthy report on its official website, highlighting the Lusail Sports Arena, noting that it was the venue for the official opening ceremony of the World Championships (Doha 2025). This marked a historic moment for Qatar, which has become the only country in the Middle East to host this major event twice, 21 years after its first hosting in 2004.

"This distinguished championship returns to the land of Qatar after more than two decades. Yet it returns transformed, with renewed maturity and readiness, to a nation that has embraced sport as a language of unity, and whose commitment to excellence in organization is steadfast and proven," the ITTF said in its report.

The ITTF considered the opening ceremony of the World Championships an early indication of the success of the global tournament in Qatar, praising the events from start to finish.

The ITTF report also noted the starting signal given by HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of the Tournament Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, in preparation for the official launch of the competition.

In its report, the ITTF focused on the opening speech delivered by President of the ITTF Petra Sorling, in which she called for preserving the great legacy of the World Table Tennis Championships, which has spanned 99 years.

The report also highlighted a speech by President of Qatar Table Tennis Association and General Maganer of the Tournament Khalil Ahmed Al Mohannadi, in which he welcomed the participants to Doha, the capital of sports and the venue for the global gathering.

HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani inaugurated the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Doha 2025 on Saturday. The tournament is held at Lusail and Qatar University halls. The opening ceremony was attended by President of the ITTF Petra Sorling and a number of leaders of the sports and Olympic movement at the Asian and international levels, in addition to a number of officials from the Qatari and International Federations, and guests of the tournament. (QNA)