City’s veteran paddlers – K. Jayaram and Iqbal Mohammad – are all set to take part in the world veterans’ table tennis championship be held at Las Vegas (USA) from June 18 to June 24.

They are among the nine players from the State vying for the honours in different age groups.

The annual event will be held for players above 50 years in both men and women categories.

Jayaram, a former State men’s ls champion for several years, had already represented India in Germany, Sweden, New Zealand editions and won the first international medal by bagging a bronze team medal in the Asian veteran championship in Thailand in 2011.

He also won two bronze medals in the veteran nationals and was all India civil services champion for six consecutive times.

Jayaram, who is working as Section Officer at Railway Audit, was selected for India based on his performance in the Pune Nationals.

“I am playing for the past 37 years without a break and has so far played more than 180 tournament finals. I am the current 50-plus AP State champion,” he said.

Fifty five-year -old Mohammad Iqbal, a State government employee who was given a wild card, will be accompanying Jayaram. Mr. Iqbal had represented India in Brazil, Sweden and New Zealand editions as well. He was also a member of the Indian team that won the bronze medal at the Asian Veteran championship in Thailand in 2011.

Both the players are fine-tuning their skills at Vijayawada Club.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – May 12th, 2018