5/18/2009
“Be prepared” is the motto of the Boys’ Scouts movement and it would seem it is the motto of the Canadian National Table Tennis Team, as they practise for the Commonwealth Championships which start in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Tuesday 19th May 2009.
Under the direction Lieutenant Robert Baden-Powell, alias Major Marles Martin, the Canadian squad of players is certainly well prepared and they are major challengers for honours.
Furthermore, there leading players are in good form.
At the Flanders Open, staged last weekend in Belgium, Pradeeban Peter-Paul and Zhang Mo finished proceedings as silver medallists in the respective Men’s and Women’s Singles event.
At the final hurdle Pradeeban Peter-Paul suffered at the hands of Germany’s powerful Steffen Mengel, whilst Zhang Mo was beaten by the consistency of the ever reliable Tanja Hain-Hofmann.
Good Form
Defeats at the final hurdle but nevertheless fine performances; notably en route to the final of the Men’s Singles event, Pradeeban Peter-Paul overcame Mengel’s compatriot Ruwen Filus.
The German is certainly a man in form; at the Qatar Open in February he excelled and he leads the Under 21 Men’s Singles Standings on the ITTF Pro Tour.
No Team Gold
Undoubtedly, the Canadians are strong contenders for honours but perhaps somewhat surprisingly they have never won the Men’s or Women’s Team event at the Commonwealth Championships and it is 15 years since a gold medal in any event at the Championships has come their way.
In 1994 in Hyderabad, Johnny Huang won the Men’s Singles title; whilst partnering Gideon Joe Ng to Men’s Doubles success and Barbara Chiu to Mixed Doubles glory.
New Generation
Fifteen years on in Glasgow, a new generation of players is in action, an exciting generation; the darkness may well be about to be lifted and following the runners up spots in Flanders there may be a good omen for the Canadians.
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