May 19, 2009
Admiral Preparations for Glasgow Jamboree
 Pradeeban Peter-Paul excelled in Flanders. Photo By: Ayoade Ademakinwa |
Courtesy of ITTF 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 honors. |
Furthermore, there leading players are in good form.
Flanders Open
At the Flanders Open, staged last weekend in Belgium, Pradeeban Peter-Paul and Zhang Mo finished proceedings as silver medalists 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, while 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 honors 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; while 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.
They do say: “Every cloud has a silver lining”.
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