by Ian Marshall, Editor

In the junior girls’ singles event, Egypt’s Hend Fathy is the top seed followed by Slovakia’s Ema Labosova, India’s Maushree Patil.

Next in line is Montenegro’s Manushree Patil pursued by Algeria’s Melissa Belache, the Czech Republic’s Martina Novakova and Lebanon’s Jennifer Khayat. The host nation’s Noha Arangay completes the top eight names.

It is a tournament in which to some extent underlines the reasons for the concept of the ITTF World Junior Circuit in 2002; one of the main themes being to give more young players the opportunity to compete on the international stage.

All are players who have yet to secure a place on an ITTF World Junior Circuit girls’ singles podium; the most successful being Hend Fathy and Manushree Patil; both competed earlier this year in Bahrain, both reached the quarter-final round.

Somewhat similarly, in a very strong field in February, Ema Labosova progressed to the third round in the Czech Republic, losing the Germany’s Sophia Klee. Very differently, for Melissa Belache, the Czech Republic’s Martina Novakova and Lebanon’s Jennifer Khayat, it is their first appearance of the year on the ITTF World Junior Circuit.

Undoubtedly, Ema Labosova is a major contender for honours, as are her colleagues in the cadet girls’ singles event; Slovakia fields the top four most prominent names. Laura Vinczeova heads the list followed by colleagues Emma Cincurova, Dominika Wiltschikova and Eliska Stullerova.

Overall a total of 19 girls will compete in Agadir, play commences with the team events; the individual events commence on Friday 14th June.