10 nations in Peace and Sport table tennis cup

(October 28, 2011) Organizers say that rivals North and South Korea and India and Pakistan are among 10 nations competing in the Peace and Sport table tennis tournament in Qatar next month. The founder of Peace and Sport, Joel Bouzou, says diplomats and government representatives from 10 countries are invited to watch the event, being held for the first time Nov. 21-22. Also competing are players from the United States, China, Japan, Russia, France and Qatar. Bouzou says the $100,000 tournament aims to ``encourage dialogue between countries, to promote mutual understanding and peace.'' Organizers say the event marks the return of ``ping-pong diplomacy,'' referring to the historic visit by a U.S. team to China in 1971.