The English Open Table Tennis Tournament at EIS Sheffield 28th Oct - 1st Nov

See the worlds greatest table tennis players live!

With well over 30 nations represented it is a truly global event. It is one of only four ITTF Major Pro Tour events the others being Japan, Germany and China. This event is one not to be missed.

This tournament will boast a glittering field with most of the top table tennis talents on the planet aiming to win a share of the $172,000 prize money on offer

Tickets on sale now -
www.etta.co.uk/englishopen or Sheffield Events Unit box office 01142 56 56 56

Local stars set to shine

Sheffield-trained British number one Paul Drinkhall will edge ever closer to his 2012 dream when he takes on a glittering global field at the English Open Table Tennis championships.

The 19-year-old will be hoping to make home advantage count when he competes at the prestigious event being staged at the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield (EIS Sheffield) from October 28 - November 1.

Paul, who lives in Clifton, Rotherham, is coached by Jai Yi Liu at EIS Sheffield, in Attercliffe, and plays for TTC Julich club in Germany.

He will be bidding to win a share of the $172,000 prize money on offer at the 65th English Open Table Tennis event taking place at EIS Sheffield.

Triple European Champion Paul, who recently won the Under 21 China Open, said: "My ultimate ambition is to win gold at London 2012 and success at this event would be one step closer to achieving this.

"The facilities and coaching we have at the National Training Centre at EIS Sheffield are truly first class and hopefully I can use this to my advantage at the English Open."

Paul is one of 14 players from Sheffield's world-class National Training Centre who will be competing at the English Open.

The centre is also home to 2012 hopefuls Daniel Reed, Darius Knight, Gavin Rumgay and Joanna Parker, plus a development squad of 24 players drawn from the Yorkshire region.

Steen Hansen, Performance Director for the English Table Tennis Association (ETTA), which is based at EIS Sheffield and runs the British Table Tennis Federation (BTTF), said: "Sheffield provides our elite squad of players and coaches with some of the best facilities we could ask for and we are confident that this base will give out players a great platform for success at the English Open, in the build up to 2012 and beyond."

EIS Sheffield caters for every level of sporting participation from novice to Olympic gold medal winners. It is this unique balance of community and elite usage which means that local people can play alongside the likes Paul Drinkhall, Darius Knight and Paralympian Farrell Anthony.

Paul Hudson, general manager of EIS Sheffield, which is operated by Sheffield International Venues (SIV), said: "More than 30 different nations will be represented at the English Open, which is one of only four ITTF Major Pro Tour events in the world - with the others being Japan, Germany and China, so we are delighted to be selected to host the championships.

"From the National Training Centre here in Sheffield, Steen and his team are developing an outstanding crop of young players who are expected to feature strongly in London and this event will be a great chance to measure their progress against the best in the world."

Tickets on sale now -
www.etta.co.uk/englishopen or Sheffield Events Unit box office 01142 56 56 56.