The third iteration of the Samjhana Cup International Open Table Tennis Tournament is set to be organised from February 1 to 8 at the National Table Tennis Training Centre in Lainchaur, Kathmandu.

"A total of 524 paddlers will compete in 14 different categories at the event, which is the biggest of its kind in Nepal’s history," said Urdip Shrestha, president of the organisers Lalitpur Table Tennis Club. "A total of 15 Indian paddlers along with a South Korean and two Pakistani players will compete at the tournament," Shrestha said.

Winners of the singles categories will receive a purse of Rs60,000 while the runners up bag Rs30,000 and the second runners up receive Rs10,000. Meanwhile, winners in the veteran's categories will be awarded Rs10,000 while the runners up and second runners up walk away with Rs5,000 and Rs2,500 respectively.

According to Shrestha, the total cost of organising the event stands at Rs1.05 million. "Paddlers who won medals for Nepal at the 13th South Asian Games, their coaches and officials will be felicitated after the completion of the tournament," he said. "We will also honour a paddler with the lifetime achievement award for their contribution to the sport in Nepal."

“Nepal is currently ranked second in the South Asian region, and this tournament will help us gain valuable points to help improve our standard,” said Chaturananda Rajvaidya, president of the Nepal Table Tennis Association. “Our paddlers who won medals for the country at the regional sporting spectacle are currently training in India.”

Of the total 58 competitors in men’s singles, 58 Nepalis will vie for the title while among the 23 women’s singles participants, 19 Nepali women will be contesting for the top prize. The tournament will be played in a league cum knockout format.