Katy Clarke , kclarke@guampdn.com Published 6:54 p.m. ChT Feb. 9, 2017 | Updated 13 hours ago

ITTF Oceania development coordinator Michael Brown visited Guam to determine whether or not Guam was a viable candidate to host the ITTF Oceania Championship and Guam Para Table Tennis Open.(Photo: Courtesy Richard Kalocsai)

Guam is under consideration to host the 2018 International Table Tennis Federation Oceania Championship and Guam Para Table Tennis Open.

ITTF Oceania development coordinator Michael Brown visited Guam this past week to determine whether or not Guam is a viable fit for the competitions.

Whether or not we feel it is financially viable for Guam to host the 2018 ITTF Oceania Championships and Guam Para Table Tennis Open will be decided by the end of April this year, said Brown. First, Guam needs to send their application to the management committee.

NarciSan Agustin, secretary general of Guam's local table tennis federation, said that Guam would be sending its application in the next few weeks.

Brown, who spent a week here meeting with the local federation and inspecting facilities, has made a few visits to Guam over the last five years. He visited schools and assisted theGuam Table Tennis Federation in developing the sport among the youth. He said he has been impressed with the growth in that time.

But whether or not Guam is selected to host the competitions comes down to finances:Brown estimated that Guam would need to pay $30,000-$50,000 to host the Oceania event, a number he believes is attainable. There would also be a return for the island with Brown estimating $250,000 coming in with the tournaments.

While the two tournaments aren't mutually exclusive, both are in 2018. Hosting the Oceania Championship would help Guam with the funds and equipment needed to host the Para Table Tennis Open.

The Oceania Championship has more sponsorship potential, said Brown. If Guam hosts that event, they will receive tables, flooring, etc. Hosting that event make the para table tennis event easier to host. Thats about $70,000 in equipment. From a financial point of view, it would be better to host both.

Brown said the ITTF Oceania Championship is the longest running table tennis event in the region. If selected, Guam would be the sixth-ever nation to host, and the first onein the northern hemisphere.

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Guam could host Oceania, Para tournaments - Pacific Daily News