The culmination of the celebrations marking 100 years since the beginning of organized table tennis in the former Czechoslovakia was a festive gala evening held at the Belvedere Hotel in Prague on Saturday. Two hundred guests accepted the invitation to this special occasion, which featured not only an engaging social programme but also a symbolic meeting of generations, bringing together the most successful living players in the history of Czech and Slovak table tennis. Among the distinguished guests were ETTU President Pedro MOURA, Secretary General Pierre KASS, and Vice Presidents Jaroslaw KOLODZIEJCZYK and Zoran PRIMORAC. „The Czech and Slovak Table Tennis Federations have shaped the very foundations of our sport in Europe. From the early days of the Czechoslovak pioneers who helped establish the ITTF, to generations of champions and dedicated leaders, their contribution has been extraordinary,“ said President MOURA. „As we celebrate this shared history, we also honour the values that unite us, excellence, teamwork, and innovation. The Czech and Slovak federations continue to inspire Europe with their vision, their development of young players, and their enduring commitment to our sport’s future. It is a privilege for the European Table Tennis Union to celebrate this milestone alongside them.” The President of the Czech Table Tennis Association Nikolas ENDAL said: “The almost seventy years of the common history of Czechoslovak table tennis are decorated with dozens of World championship titles, European championship titles and many other successes. After all, Czechoslovakia at that time was one of the founding members of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). For many years, our players were among the most successful in the world. After the division of the Federation in 1993, we each went our own way, but we have remained in a very close and friendly relationship with our Slovak partners. We cooperate, share experiences, give each other advice and symbolically we even received a beautiful gift. Last year, the Czech Republic’s Hana MATELOVÁ and the Slovak Barbora BALÁŽOVÁ won the gold medal in doubles at the European Championship. The legacy of mutual cooperation is one of the main motives of our celebration of 100 years of our common journey.” Significant figures from the Czech and Slovak history of the sport filled the hall: European champions, World Championship medallists and other distinguished personalities. Among them were Jaroslav STAŇEK, Eliška KREJČOVÁ, Milan ORLOWSKI, Josef DVOŘÁČEK, Petr KORBEL, Iveta VACENOVSKÁ and Hana MATELOVÁ. The event was also attended by Jiří KEJVAL, President of the Czech Olympic Committee, Ondřej ŠEBEK, Chairman of the National Sports Agency, and many other special guests. The official programme symbolically lasted 100 minutes, featuring historical photographs and applause for several legends who received commemorative medals. Most importantly, the evening offered a chance to share memories and celebrate the enduring friendship and legacy of table tennis in the former Czechoslovakia now proudly continued by the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg Secure Second Win in Group A (VIDEO)
Top-seeded KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg recorded their second victory in Group A of the Stage 2 ETTU Champions League Women. This time, they prevailed against the French side Saint-Quentin TT at MOSiR Tarnobrzeg Hall, after the club beat MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Durada in Spain. With this commanding win, Tarnobrzeg strengthen their position at the top of Group A. The Polish hosts controlled all three matches from start to finish, never allowing the visitors to gain momentum and completing the tie without dropping a single match. Xiaoxin YANG opened the tie with a confident 3–0 win against Agnès LELANIC, displaying full control in all phases of play. The duel between two defensive specialists went in favour of Ying HAN, who overcame Linda BERGSTRÖM with characteristic precision and stability. Fu YU, despite Polina MIKHAILOVA’s late push in the third game, closed the match in straight games to secure the team victory. KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg leave the hall with maximum points and a perfect start to their Stage 2 campaign. Coach Zbigniew NĘCEK: “Today’s match cost my players a lot of energy. I’m happy with the victory because it will give us more breathing space in the upcoming games. I’m very pleased with the form of all my players.” KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg (POL) – Saint-Quentin TT (FRA) 3–0
President MOURA: This is a historic moment for the ITTF
The International Table Tennis Federation concluded its Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2025 today, 15 November, bringing to a close a process that began in Doha on 27 May 2025. Following the decision of the ITTF Executive Board on 20 September 2025, and in accordance with ITTF Statutes, the continuation of the AGM was held in a fully online format. LUMI AGM UK Ltd, an independent, world-class provider, was appointed to managed the proceedings in line with the highest standards of governance. “This is a historic moment for the ITTF, and I would like to congratulate all the newly elected members of the ITTF Executive Board. I sincerely hope that, together, our global table tennis community can continue to build peace, unity, and development under their leadership,” stated ETTU President Pedro MOURA. With the conclusion of today’s meeting, the ITTF membership has now elected the full Executive Board for the 2025-2029 term. The following eight Executive Vice Presidents will serve alongside President Petra SÖRLING (SWE), who was re-elected in May during the initial session of the AGM: Anthony MOORE (AUS), Guoliang LIU (CHN), Paul CALLE (ECU), HRH Princess Zeina RASHID (JOR), Wahid OSHODI (NGR), Beatrice ROMANESCU (ROU), Prof. Veli Ozan CAKIR (TUR), Virginia SUNG (USA). “I want to extend a very special word of congratulations to the two European members elected today Mrs. Beatrice ROMANESCU and Professor Veli Ozan CAKIR. It has been a long time since Europe has had three representatives on the Executive Board, and this is a proud moment for European table tennis. I am sure that the entire European delegation will work tirelessly and contribute strongly to the further development of our sport,” stated ETTU President MOURA. “I would also like to congratulate the ITTF Council members who were ratified today especially our European representatives, seven in total. In addition, I want to offer special recognition to all European members ratified as part of the newly confirmed committees.” ITTF ratified Council Members from Europe are Zoran PRIMORAC, Richard SCRUTON, Miguel Angel MACHADO SOBRADOS, Heike AHLERT, Sonja GREFBERG, Philip MCCALUM and Aleksandar MATKOVIC. ITTF permanent committee members (2025 – 2029) are Philip MCCALUM (Equipment Committee), Ina JOZEPSONE and Murat ERIS (Masters), Karen TONGE OBE, Tomas VARGA, Emre BASKAN (Para table tennis), Igor HELLER, Katja BRAND, Rudolf SPORRER, Ingrid BOGREN (Rules), Esko HEIKKINEN, dr Michael Wolfgang Johannes FUCHS, Irene FABER, (Sport Science and Medical), Martin PERRY (Sustainability), Werner THURY (Umpires and Referees). In her closing remarks to the AGM, President SÖRLING called for the first Executive Board meeting on Sunday 16 November in order to fast-track key initiatives as the federation is about to enter a landmark year. “I would like to express my gratitude to the former Executive Vice Presidents for their service and contribution,” said President SÖRLING. “And I warmly congratulate the elected Executive Vice Presidents, the ratified Council Members, and the appointed Committee members. I look forward to a professional and fruitful collaboration over the next years. Throughout this unprecedented period, I am proud our community remained focused on the sport. Events continued to grow, development programmes reached more people, and our players, coaches, officials and volunteers kept table tennis vibrant in every region. It is their work that kept our sport strong. Today we are moving forward together as a united table tennis family, with our eyes firmly on the future of table tennis worldwide. This Assembly has re-elected me and renewed its confidence in a programme that delivered concrete positive results in my first term and will continue to bring tangible benefits. The path ahead is ambitious and we cannot afford further delay. The Board will meet tomorrow to resume our work. I will strive to ensure that global success is translated into local impact. And it will be linked to responsibility, merit and a culture of accountability at every level.” President SÖRLING continued: “Next year, our centenary will open an important new phase for the ITTF. Important changes are being prepared. Some are already in motion; others are not yet ready to be presented today, but your decisions here give us the mandate and stability to complete this work with you. Together with the new Executive Vice Presidents, I am honoured to continue serving as your President at such a crucial time for table tennis.” Table tennis now turns firmly to 2026 – a year that will mark the centenary of the International Table Tennis Federation and the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships. During the meeting, the ITTF showcased its plan, building anticipation for what promises to be a special and historic year for the global table tennis family. A century after the inaugural ITTF World Table Tennis Championships took place in London in 1926, the sport returns to its birthplace for a truly historic celebration. London’s Copper Box Arena and OVO Arena Wembley will host the Championships from 28 April -10 May, where 64 men’s and 64 women’s teams will compete for global supremacy. This landmark celebration honours both the sport’s remarkable journey and the founding of the ITTF in that same historic year of 1926.
SKST Havířov Set for Tough Home Clash Against Polish Giants KS Dekorglass Działdowo
SKST Havířov will open their ETTU Champions League Men Round of 16 campaign at home against Polish powerhouse KS Dekorglass Działdowo, on 16 November. Działdowo, two-time Europe Cup winners (2018 and 2024), bring a world-class roster built around Poland’s national team stars. Two-time European Championship medalist Jakub DYJAS and 2022 U21 European singles champion Samuel KULCZYCKI lead the line-up, joined by Patryk LEWANDOWSKI, Croatian ace Tomislav PUCAR (WR 30), and the experienced Chinese defender Yingchao HOU. But Havířov are determined not to play second fiddle. Coach Marek ČIHÁK commands a balanced mix of experience and youth, anchored by Chilean international Gustavo GÓMEZ (WR 110). Alongside him are reigning Czech junior champion Štěpán BRHEL, veterans Michal BLINKA and Jan ŠKALDA, plus Indian international Manush SHAH and several promising Czech juniors including Matyáš KOLEČKÁŘ and Jakub MAKARA. “We respect our opponents, but we have quality and ambition,” said coach ČIHÁK ahead of the home leg. “The players have improved individually, and we want to show that we can compete with any team in Europe.”
