Kingdom to Host 'Saudi Smash' World Table Tennis Championship in May

The event will take place May 1-11 in Jeddah
The event will take place May 1-11 in Jeddah
TT

Kingdom to Host 'Saudi Smash' World Table Tennis Championship in May

The event will take place May 1-11 in Jeddah
The event will take place May 1-11 in Jeddah

The Kingdom will host the Grand Smash 2024 World Table Tennis Championship for the first time under the theme "Saudi Smash."

The event will take place May 1-11 in Jeddah and will feature the participation of elite international players in singles and doubles competitions for men and women, as well as mixed doubles.

Under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Table Tennis Federation will organize the tournament in cooperation with the World Table Tennis Organization (WTT).

The Minister of Sport and the Chairman of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, stated that this new global sporting event will join the other major tournaments hosted by the Kingdom.

The tournament will be held in two stages. The first stage is the qualifying stage, which will take place May 1-3 and will feature 64 players, including players representing the Kingdom. Eight players will advance to the second stage, or the final rounds, beginning May 4.

The final rounds will include the eight players finalists from the qualifying stage plus 56 players in advanced levels of the global player classification table. This brings the total number of players in the final stage to 64, who will compete in the knockout rounds towards reaching the titles in five competitions for men (singles and doubles), women (singles and doubles), and a mixed doubles tournament.



Toyota Confirms it Will End Olympics, Paralympics Sponsorship

Akio Toyoda (Reuters)
Akio Toyoda (Reuters)
TT

Toyota Confirms it Will End Olympics, Paralympics Sponsorship

Akio Toyoda (Reuters)
Akio Toyoda (Reuters)

Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda confirmed on Thursday the company will not renew its 10-year contract as a top sponsor for the Olympics and Paralympics following the Paris Games.
The world's biggest automaker, which had already suggested it would not renew the contract when it expired, will continue to financially support athletes, Toyoda said in the company-owned media channel.
Earlier this month, Panasonic Holdings announced it would also end its 37-year contract as a top sponsor after it became an official partner of the Olympic Games in 1987, according to Reuters.
The International Olympics Committee saw revenues of $2.295 billion from its top sponsors for the period 2017-2021, the second-biggest source of income for the Olympic movement, with broadcasters paying $4.544 billion over the same period.