Chinese stars to feature in Bulgarian table tennis tournament

SOFIA, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Several Chinese athletes are gearing up for this year's Seamaster ITTF World Tour Asarel Bulgaria Open, which organizers say will be Bulgaria's strongest table tennis tournament ever.

At a press conference on Tuesday, organizers said a total of 19 Chinese players, including Olympic and world champions Ma Long and Ding Ning, will participate in the event, which takes place from August 14 to 19 in Panagyurishte.

This fourth edition of the tournament will see a record number of 276 athletes from 43 countries and regions taking part, said Ivan Alexandrov, Chair of the Asarel Bulgaria Open Association, which organizes the event.

"It will be the strongest table tennis tournament in Bulgaria ever," Alexandrov said.