QPR star and GB table tennis ace launch the 2011 Fred Perry Table Tennis Urban Cup Finals
Premier League, Fred Perry and ETTA support initiative for 100,000 youngsters to play table tennis
29 November, 2011: Premier League clubs could have a new addition to their trophy cabinet when the Fred Perry Table Tennis Urban Cup Finals return to London’s Business Design Centre on Saturday 3rd December. Each of the 20 Premier League clubs will be represented in the initiative led by Fred Perry, in partnership with the Premier League 4 Sport (PL4S) programme, the English Table Tennis Association (ETTA) and Sport England’s Sportsmatch.
Darius Knight, GB table tennis star and Fred Perry ambassador, took on QPR midfielder Jamie Mackie today at Loftus Road to celebrate the upcoming finals, accompanied by the four youngsters that will be representing the club on Saturday: Benammi Coker-Adams, Andy Darko, Cheryl Wamunyima and Balaat Coker-Adams.
Premier League clubs around the country have joined forces with community clubs to inspire the next generation of table tennis hopefuls. This year’s competition has seen over 100,000 participants aged 11-14 try their luck at emulating the success of Fred Perry Urban Cup’s ambassador and GB table tennis star Darius Knight.
After making their way through several regional tournaments, the four representatives from each Premier League club have earned the right to wear their team colours this weekend at the finale of the competition.
Richard Martin, Director of Marketing at Fred Perry, said: “Fred Perry is extremely proud to again be backing the Urban Cup and inspiring talented young table tennis players from urban areas across the country. Fred Perry himself was a table tennis champion and we are really excited to see the popularity of the sport continuing to grow at an astonishing rate. This year’s tournament has been our most successful yet and I am keen to witness the next generation of table tennis stars at London’s Business Design Centre on Saturday.”
Darius Knight, GB table tennis star and Olympic hopeful, will be on hand on Urban Cup Finals Day to encourage the remaining youngsters in the competition and watch out for future talent while he is there.
Knight said: “The Fred Perry Urban Cup is something that I fully support and believe in after table tennis saved me from going down the wrong path as a kid in a rough neighbourhood in south London. This is a really exciting time for table tennis in the UK and initiatives like the Urban Cup are ensuring that the next generation of stars are being uncovered. I am looking forward to seeing my potential future GB team mates at the Urban Cup Finals and wish them all the best.”
