Gilbert Cup '97 will combine three prestigious events to create a spectacular table tennis weekend. Throughout the course of these two days, there will be an international men's singles competition, an elite junior tournament, and a world-class exhibition.
The invitation list for this event includes World, Olympic, European, and Asian champions, as well as America's best junior players, ten boys and ten girls, ages eighteen and under.
The junior tournament will take place in the earlier part of the day on Saturday and Sunday of January 4th and 5th. Throughout the course of the day there will be spectacular exhibition matches featuring international stars.
The weekend's main attraction, the international event, will begin on Saturday afternoon with a round-robin competition. The four players with the best records in this event will advance to the semifinals which, along with the finals, will be held on Sunday afternoon.
Emmy award winning TV and radio broadcaster Mario Machado will be hosting this event for the second consecutive year. Mr. Machado performed the same role during the historic Ping-pong diplomacy matches held between China and the USA in 1972.
Prize Money:
Men's Singles: 1st Place $15,000; 2nd Place $10,000
Elite Juniors (boys & girls): 1st Place $1,000; 2nd Place $500
Sponsors:
Mr. Arthur Gilbert, Lehman Brothers, Donic Table Tennis Company, T.G.
Enterprises, Wells Fargo Bank, Radio Sedaye Iran, Hansen's Beverages,
Breath Asure.
Equipment:
Coming on the heels of the 1996 Olympic Games, and only one year after the first Gilbert Cup (which received local, national, and international attention), this tournament promises to be a great inspiration to young people and a major benefit to everyone involved.