DaveR
02-22-2008, 03:50 PM
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Scotland’s push for medals in the 2014 Commonwealth Games has been given a major boost, with the announcement that Glasgow is to host the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in 2009.
The news was announced by Steven Purcell, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, at Scotstoun Stadium, where the Championships will be held and where Table Tennis will also take centre stage in 2014.
Councillor Purcell was joined by members of the Scotland Squad, who are due to fly to China tomorrow to compete in the upcoming World Team Table Tennis Championships, and by 15 young players from Drumchapel Table Tennis Club – which is recognised as one of the best in the UK.
Cllr Purcell said: “Table tennis is a massive global sport and we’re delighted to host the Commonwealth Championships here at Scotstoun as we prepare for the Games in 2014.
“There is no doubt that this announcement will make the sport even more popular in Glasgow and Scotland – and hopefully provide the necessary boost which will see our nation compete at the very highest level.
“It is even more gratifying to know that some of the UK’s finest table tennis talent comes from the highly successful club based in Drumchapel. I’ve often said that sport can be a positive force in changing lives and there can be no better example of this than the success of the athletes who have come through the Drumchapel system.”
Two Drumchapel paddlers competed at the last Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in Jaipur, India, some 18 months ago and Cllr Purcell was joined by many of the club’s best performers at today’s launch.
They were on hand to offer support to Craig Howieson, Scotland’s number one junior player, who flies with the rest of the Scottish Squad to China, tomorrow, to take on the best in the upcoming World Championships.
Terry McLernon, who founded the Drumchapel Club in 1989 and remains head coach at the organisation, said: “We have more than 100 kids and young people through our doors every week and our system is the envy of clubs across the UK.
“Hosting the Championships in 2009 is a real boost for the sport in both Glasgow and Scotland and gives the young people in Drumchapel a real shot at going for gold in 2014.
“But more than that, this opens the door to even further investment in a sport which is easily accessible for people of all ages and abilities.”
Craig Howieson said: “This is great news for everyone associated with the sport in Scotland, particularly the national team. This gives us a chance to work on the sport from grassroots to the very top of our game as we compete at the highest level. I can’t wait to have the opportunity to beat the best in the Commonwealth on my home ground. Let’s just hope that this is the catalyst that spurs our players to the top of the podium in 2014.”
Tricia Whitaker, from Table Tennis Scotland, said: “It’s a great honour for the Federation to select Glasgow as the next venue for the Commonwealth Championships and we’re confident the event will be a major success. This is a sport which knows no barriers and can be played by all – and we’re keen that the legacy of these championships will be a fitter, healthier and more successful Scots nation.”
By James Doherty, Culture & Sport Glasgow
Scotland’s push for medals in the 2014 Commonwealth Games has been given a major boost, with the announcement that Glasgow is to host the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in 2009.
The news was announced by Steven Purcell, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, at Scotstoun Stadium, where the Championships will be held and where Table Tennis will also take centre stage in 2014.
Councillor Purcell was joined by members of the Scotland Squad, who are due to fly to China tomorrow to compete in the upcoming World Team Table Tennis Championships, and by 15 young players from Drumchapel Table Tennis Club – which is recognised as one of the best in the UK.
Cllr Purcell said: “Table tennis is a massive global sport and we’re delighted to host the Commonwealth Championships here at Scotstoun as we prepare for the Games in 2014.
“There is no doubt that this announcement will make the sport even more popular in Glasgow and Scotland – and hopefully provide the necessary boost which will see our nation compete at the very highest level.
“It is even more gratifying to know that some of the UK’s finest table tennis talent comes from the highly successful club based in Drumchapel. I’ve often said that sport can be a positive force in changing lives and there can be no better example of this than the success of the athletes who have come through the Drumchapel system.”
Two Drumchapel paddlers competed at the last Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in Jaipur, India, some 18 months ago and Cllr Purcell was joined by many of the club’s best performers at today’s launch.
They were on hand to offer support to Craig Howieson, Scotland’s number one junior player, who flies with the rest of the Scottish Squad to China, tomorrow, to take on the best in the upcoming World Championships.
Terry McLernon, who founded the Drumchapel Club in 1989 and remains head coach at the organisation, said: “We have more than 100 kids and young people through our doors every week and our system is the envy of clubs across the UK.
“Hosting the Championships in 2009 is a real boost for the sport in both Glasgow and Scotland and gives the young people in Drumchapel a real shot at going for gold in 2014.
“But more than that, this opens the door to even further investment in a sport which is easily accessible for people of all ages and abilities.”
Craig Howieson said: “This is great news for everyone associated with the sport in Scotland, particularly the national team. This gives us a chance to work on the sport from grassroots to the very top of our game as we compete at the highest level. I can’t wait to have the opportunity to beat the best in the Commonwealth on my home ground. Let’s just hope that this is the catalyst that spurs our players to the top of the podium in 2014.”
Tricia Whitaker, from Table Tennis Scotland, said: “It’s a great honour for the Federation to select Glasgow as the next venue for the Commonwealth Championships and we’re confident the event will be a major success. This is a sport which knows no barriers and can be played by all – and we’re keen that the legacy of these championships will be a fitter, healthier and more successful Scots nation.”
By James Doherty, Culture & Sport Glasgow