More than 600 entries from 20 countries are set to see action in two international table tennis events that the city of Puerto Princesa will be hosting next month.

The World Table Tennis Youth Contender Series kicks off the two-meet festivities from 3 to 6 September and then followed by the World Table Tennis Feeder Series from 8 to 12 September at the Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum.

Both tournaments will feature 20 countries each, with the Philippines fielding the biggest entry of 60 athletes led by national team member Kheith Rhynne Cruz, along with a team from no less than Puerto Princesa.

“Hosting an international event here in our country is a huge help. First, because we get to minimize expenses, and at the same time, you get to compete against world-class players,” said Philippine Table Tennis Federation Inc. president Ting Ledesma during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Philippine Sports Commission media room on Tuesday.

“Our players gain first-hand experience in a world-class event facing world-class opponents. That’s why, compared to before, our athletes no longer get rattled by high-caliber competition or massive venues because they are already at ease,” added Ledesma in the session presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.

Competition manager Daniel Deleniana, who is also a board member of PTTF Inc., along with executive assistant IV and City Sports director Atty. Gregorio Austria also joined Ledesma in the same Forum to discuss the two-in-one event being hosted by Puerto Princesa for the fourth straight time.

Deleniana said the Youth Series features 19-and-under athletes numbering to 426 entries, while the Feeder Series is an open category which attracted 165 entries.

Categories are divided into U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19 both boys and girls, while mixed doubles will also be held in the U15 and U19 categories.

Participating countries in the Youth Series are Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, USA, Oman, Brunei and Slovakia.