FEBRUARY 3 - ALEX MURDOCH, the chairman of Engish Table Tennis, has claimed that the sport is still confident of success for players like Darius Knight (pictured) at London 2012 despite a funding cut.

 

Table tennis was one of 12 Olympics and Paralympic ports and disciplines that had its funding slashed by Government agency UK Sport last week because of a £50 million shortfall in the amount it has to distribute because of the current economic crisis.

 

The sport received £1.2 million for the build-up to London 2012 - £1.3 million less than it received for Beijing.

 

Before that it had received no funding from UK Sport.

 

Murdoch said: "It's not the disaster it could have been 60 days ago.

 

"We have the chance to use the £1.2 million over two years if we wish which is similar to existing levels and hence maintain our present structure plus most of the programme and the national training centre in Sheffield, subject to the British Board's approval."

 

Murdoch is hoping that additional money can be identified in the next two years to help maintain the programme.

 

He said: "I feel confident that additional funding will be released over the next 12 to 24 months; great efforts are being made by all connected.

 

"We met with our National Olympic Committee on Friday, they are involved in a fund-raising project. specificially for the 12 sports connected."

 

Murdoch is confident that table tennis can also demonstrate its potential for London 2012 and be rewarded by UK Sport.

 

Steen Hansen, the performance director for the English Table Tennis Association (ETTA), predicted in December that Britain is the only country capable of challenging Asia's domination of the sport.

 

He made the claim after Britain's performance at the World Junior Championships in Madrid where London 2012 Paul Drinkhall won the silver medal while doubles partner Darius Knight made the last 16 of the competition and 15-year-old Gavin Evans the last 32.

 

The squad, which also included Liam Pitchford, finished third in the team event.

 

Murdoch said: "We also have to continue to show progress is being made as all sports, including those with full funding, have to make regular presentations to UK Sport - another opportunity for funding to move to us from other sports.

 

"I came into office in 2003 with cuts announced three months before I sat in the chair.

 

"We were over 70 per cent down from £625,000 to £160,000.

 

"We got through, recovered and moved forward.

 

"We will do the same again."