Shanghai Daily news

International Table Tennis Federation President Adham Sharara (center) is briefed on the preparations for the upcoming world ping pong championship during an inspection yesterday of the venue for the April 30-May 6 matches. (Photo: Xinhua)

The refurbished Shanghai Grand Stage drew high praise from visiting officials yesterday as the upcoming world table tennis championship enters the count-down phase.
International Table Tennis Federation President Adham Sharara gave thumbs up to the venue that will host the blue-ribbon competition from April 30 to May 6.
"This is superb even by the highest standard," said Sharara after inspecting the site, which is near Shanghai Stadium.
The renovations at Shanghai Grand Stage took four months to complete and cost 90 million yuan (US$11.25 million).
The head of the sport's world governing body was briefed on the preparations for the tournament, including plans for an opening ceremony at the foot of Pudong's landmark Orient Pearl TV Tower.
Top table tennis players from more than 130 countries have signed up to compete in five categories during the weeklong competition: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles.
China, dominant in the sport for the past decade, will field a star-studded squad led by world No. 1 men's singles player Wang Liqin, a Shanghai native.