The wait is finally over. After months of meticulous planning by hosts Qatar, the nine-day ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 kicks off tomorrow with the stage set for thrilling doubles encounters at the Lusail Sports Arena and Qatar University.

The opening rounds are poised to deliver thrilling contests as dynamic partnerships take centre stage. Historically, the doubles competitions have been a hotbed for captivating moments, where strategy and teamwork often lead to surprising outcomes.

This year’s initial matchups are no exception, promising a series of intriguing battles that could very well shape the narrative of the entire championships.

The iconic Lusail Sports Arena and Qatar University are the two venues fully prepared to host the much-sought after championships, Qatar Table Tennis Association president (QTTA) Khalil al-Mohannadi said Thursday.

“A total of 640 athletes, including 256 in singles and similar number in the men’s and women’s doubles will be seen in action at the event. Around 128 pairs will battle for top honours in the mixed doubles, promising a packed schedule of 443 matches,” al-Mohannadi said during a press conference Thursday.

“The organising team has dedicated over a year to tournament preparations, and thankfully, everything is progressing smoothly,” he added. “Having organised the World Championship in 2004, we are uniquely positioned as the only nation to host the tournament twice, and only the second Arab country and Middle Eastern nation to do so,” he said.

Drawing on his extensive experience, al-Mohannadi, who has chaired the federation for three decades, expressed confidence, adding: “Given our long history with the sport, we are certain this will be a distinguished event worthy of the World Championship’s history.”

“The state-of-the-art Lusail Sports Arena will serve as the tournament’s central hub, hosting both the opening ceremony and all championship competitions. Renowned for its advanced facilities and cutting-edge technology, the Lusail Sports Arena is considered a premier sporting venue in Qatar, capable of accommodating a wide range of international events, including table tennis, basketball, and handball.

“Qatar is poised to deliver a world-class experience for both athletes and fans alike,” al-Mohannadi, who is also the President of the Arab and Asian Federations and First Vice-President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), said.

“During the initial four days of the tournament, the action will also unfold at the Qatar University Hall, situated on the university’s northern Doha campus. This prominent sporting venue is a key facility for university athletics and has a history of hosting international competitions,” al-Mohannadi said.

The team events at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 are generating significant anticipation, particularly regarding the perennial rivalry between table tennis powerhouses China and Japan. Historically, clashes between these two nations have been fiercely contested, often determining the ultimate champions.

The Doha championships will also see significant representation from Arab nations, most notably Egypt, spearheaded by Omar Assar, currently the top-ranked player in Africa and holding the 26th ranking globally.

Host nation Qatar is also fielding a team eager to impress on their home turf. Qatar’s lineup includes Sultan Khaled al-Kuwari and Mohamed Abdel-Wahab in the men’s singles, alongside Aya Magdy and Mariam Ali in the women’s singles. In the doubles events, Abdel-Wahab will team up with Abdullah Abdel-Wahab, and Sultan will partner with Rawad al-Nasser in the men’s category, while Aya and Mariam will compete in the women’s doubles.

The mixed doubles will feature two Qatari pairings: Mohamed Abdel-Wahab with Aya, and Ahmed Eid Qarni with Mariam.

Regarding television broadcasting, al-Mohannadi said Al Kass Channel and beIN Sports will broadcast the matches live. Al Kass will be on the free-to-air channel, and beIN will be on Channel 9. There will also be an external broadcast on Tokyo TV.