KATHMANDU: Nepal is set to host the South Asian table tennis qualifier matches for the Paris Olympics, scheduled for July.

This marks the first time such qualifiers will be held in Nepal, taking place from May 13 to May 15.

Rajendra Kapali, the chief coach of table tennis, announced that 20 players from Nepal, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka will compete in the qualifiers.

India, already pre-selected due to its top-eight world ranking, will not participate in these qualifiers.

Each participating country will field two male and two female players for the qualification matches.

From each nation, one male and one female player will secure a spot in the Paris Olympics.

The qualification matches will be held at the National Table Tennis Training Centre in Lainchaur.

Representing Nepal in the qualifiers are players Sanyog Kapali, Syantu Shrestha, Nabita Shrestha, and Ivana Thapa.