The 2025 ETTU Congress was held on Wednesday, 15 October, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Zadar, Croatia.
The Congress followed the formal agenda, which included the President’s Welcome and Opening Address, the Annual General Report, the presentation of financial statements and budget, and the consideration and adoption of propositions and resolutions.
Presidential Address
ETTU President Pedro MOURA welcomed the delegates and thanked the hosts:
“This city of Zadar, rich in history and full of energy, is the perfect setting to reflect on how far we’ve come and to look forward with confidence to where we are heading.”
He also addressed ITTF President Petra SÖRLING, who was present at the Congress:
“I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Mrs. Petra SÖRLING on her reelection as ITTF President last May. Petra, your presence here today honours us. Your leadership, your integrity, and your willingness to engage openly with the continental federations continue to inspire us all. On behalf of the entire ETTU family, congratulations, and thank you for your partnership.”
A Year of Progress and Growth
“This was a year of progress and growth,” President MOURA continued. “Since our last Congress in Linz just one year ago, the ETTU has continued to move forward with renewed energy and shared purpose. Our Executive Board, elected in 2024, has worked together with unity and focus to implement our Strategic Plan 2023–2028.
We have modernized our internal operations, expanded our staff, and strengthened our communication and marketing teams.
With new colleagues in place, we’ve reached unprecedented visibility, engaging millions of fans online and showcasing European table tennis on more screens, in more countries, than ever before.”
Competitions and Governance
ETTU competitions continue to shine: “The Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux, the Champions League Final 4 in Saarbrücken, and the European Team Championships Stage 1 in Sarajevo, each one organized with professionalism, inclusivity, and innovation.
Our Europe Youth Series is a growing success with record participation, and the U13 European Championships is already established as one of the most important events on the ETTU calendar.
Behind these successes lies a key principle that defines our work: good governance.”
Governance and Financial Stability
President MOURA emphasised the ETTU’s commitment to transparency and long-term stability:
“Governance is, and must remain, the cornerstone of the ETTU. Over the past year, we have strengthened internal procedures, reinforced financial control, and enhanced transparency.
Our cooperation between the Executive Board, the Vice President for Finance, and the Secretariat is now closer than ever. I am pleased to report that the ETTU’s finances remain strong and stable. Since 2016, our total income has shown steady and consistent growth year after year, a reflection of stronger partnerships, new event revenues, and responsible financial management.
This steady progress gives us confidence. It allows us to plan long-term, invest in development, and provide meaningful support to our Member Associations and their athletes.
Governance is not just about numbers or compliance; it is about credibility. It means that when we speak, our members, our partners, and our players can trust that the ETTU delivers.”
Development and Future Vision
The National Association Assistance Programme and Participation Programme now reach more federations than ever before, with funding more than doubled compared to previous years.
“And this year, we launched EUROSPINS, a bold new project giving young European players the chance to train alongside top-level Asian sparring partners.
This initiative embodies our long-term vision, to prepare the next generation of European champions and close the competitive gap with the world’s best.”
Looking ahead, MOURA outlined the priorities for the coming period:
“In the months to come, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation with the ITTF under the Quadrennial Agreement, advance our digital transformation, and support every Member Association in creating pathways for athletes, coaches, and officials to reach their potential.
We will organize the first-ever Women’s Champions League Final 4, and we are set to implement a new competition system for the 2026/2027 season, making this event more commercially attractive.
This has been developed in cooperation with all stakeholders involved.
We will continue to enhance the presentation of our events and increase fan engagement, targeting Generation Z in particular.
And, for the first time, we are now displaying highlights of all our matches on YouTube.
We will ensure that European table tennis continues to stand as a model of excellence, good governance, and sustainability within the global sports community.”
Welcome from Zoran PRIMORAC
ETTU Vice President Zoran PRIMORAC welcomed guests to his hometown:
“When I ended my playing career and became President of the Croatian Table Tennis Association, my wish was to bring a major table tennis tournament to Croatia. Today, I am very pleased that this major event, the European Team Championships, is being held in my hometown, Zadar. And when I say that Zadar is a table tennis city, that is not just a phrase.
Let me remind you that back in 1971, the first Europe Top 12 tournament was held in Zadar, designed and organized by my legendary coach and sports educator Tomo AMIŽIĆ.
Zadar has produced numerous top coaches and players, the AMIŽIĆ brothers, the KARLOVIĆ brothers, Goran RADANOVIĆ, Andrej GAĆINA, Tomislav ZUBČIĆ…”
PRIMORAC also highlighted the city’s rich sporting tradition:
“The great basketball ace Krešimir ĆOSIĆ, whose name is given to this hall now hosting the best European table tennis players, was from Zadar — as was Luka MODRIĆ, the best Croatian football player of all time, who took his first football steps here.
Zadar is, of course, also a tourist city, and I am glad that the European Team Championships will contribute to promoting Zadar and Croatia. I would like to thank the ETTU, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Croatian Olympic Committee, Zadar County, the City of Zadar, and all our sponsors for their support.
European table tennis has been on a great rise in recent years; our new stars have increased interest in the sport, bringing new players and new fans. I am sure that this event in Zadar, which can be seen by viewers around the world, will contribute to this positive trend. We have already seen sensational matches in the first part of the competition, and I am confident that we will all enjoy the final rounds of the European Team Championships in Zadar.”
He concluded with a smile:
“At the Congress in Linz, I promised you nice weather — and as you can see, I kept my promise! Don’t ask me how I managed it!”
Address by ITTF President Petra SÖRLING
“I am very glad to be here with you today. The past few months have been challenging for the ITTF; however, I am deeply proud that our community has remained united. Together, we have continued to deliver events, to develop our programs, and to demonstrate capability and strength. Last month, we received the clarity needed to move forward together. A special word of thanks goes to all the candidates for your patience and understanding throughout this period.
I also invite you to engage actively in the ITTF’s ongoing constitutional reform, mandated by the 2025 Act on Integrity. We have chosen a participatory process, one that includes regular dialogue with the ITTF Governance Manager at the end of this month. I sincerely hope these exchanges will be constructive and fruitful.
The ITTF Constitution belongs to all of us. Every member has equal access and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to its future.”
Elections, Reports and Honours
Elections, reports from the Committees and Audit bodies, the presentation of Badges of Honour, and the introduction of the 2026 European Championships were also part of the Congress session.
Delegates approved the new Regulations for the European Para Championships, marking another important milestone for European table tennis.
In spring 2025, a long-standing goal was achieved when the ITTF transferred the rights to organise the European Para Championships to the ETTU, effective from 2027 onwards. Starting that year, the Championships will be organised by a Member Association appointed by the ETTU Executive Board.
In odd-numbered years, the event will include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles competitions.
With the formal transfer of rights from the ITTF to the ETTU, and the Congress’s approval of the regulations, the foundation has now been laid for a new chapter in the history of European Para table tennis.
Newly elected members of the Board of Appeal are: Jean-Michel MUREAU (Belgium), Mircea Lucian Bogdan DUMITRU (Romania) and Owen RODGERS (Wales).
The ETTU Badge of Honour was presented to: Asko RÄSINEN (Finland), Jaan HÄRMS (Estonia), Joe VESELSKY (Ireland), Miguel VICENS (France), Michel GADAL (France), Mario AMIŽIĆ (Croatia), and Inga NAVICKIENĖ (Lithuania).
