TABLE Tennis Jamaica (TTJ) is in need of approximately $1.8 million to stage their annual National Junior and Senior Championships from August 11-13 inside the National Arena. Godfrey Lothian, president of TTJ, said he was surprised when he got news from Independence Park Limited (IPL) on Tuesday that they will have to come forward with $1.77 million in order to use the venue.

He explained that he had a meeting with IPL last Thursday about the use of the venue.

“This has now put the TTJ in a bit of worry to find that money to stage the National Junior and Senior Table Tennis Championships inside the National Arena. Both parties had worked on one price to stage all three events there, and now we can only stage the Hope Camp and the Caribbean Pre-Cadet activities there if we are unable to find the money,” Lothian said.

The president outlined that the budget to stage all three events as well as to host the overseas contingent stands at approximately $8 million, and the association can only afford to fork out $6 million.

“If we are not able to get the additional $1.8 million, we will have to find other facilities such as University of Technology or GC Foster College if they are available to stage the National Junior and Senior Table Tennis Championships,” said Lothian, who added that a postponement for the national championships may be on the cards should they fail to come up with the funds.

“Everything was put in place and all the players from the rural parishes have already made arrangements to get some place to stay in Kingston, but I am hoping that someone will come forward and assist us with the $1.8 million,” he noted.