The Dominican Republic is the focus of the table tennis world this week as the IV World Children and Youth Table Tennis Tournament gets underway in Santo Domingo. A total of 88 players from 38 countries and from all five continents are currently vying for medals in the tournament. This year’s tournament is dedicated to the great Dominican table tennis players, Mario Alvarez, Juan Vila and Raymundo Fermin, champions at the Pan American and Central American level and highly ranked in the world during the 70s, 80s and 90s. Admission to the tournament, which is being held at the Parque del Este facilities, is free to the public. During the draws for the different groups, the Dominican Republic was a bit unlucky to draw very stiff competition in both boys and girls divisions. In Group A, the Dominican team will have to face England, North America and Asia. In the Girls Division, the Dominican team will face Japan, Africa and Europe. Just one family from Santiago has three members of the Dominican team: Hector Vila, Juan Vila Jr., and Linette Vila are all following their father’s footsteps.