European University Sports Association announced that the upcoming edition of the 5th European Universities Games will not be held in Belgrade this July. Despite the hard work of the local Organising Committee EUSA and all the partners taking into account the current pandemic situation regarding COVID-19 after much analysis and deliberation a decision has been made that the event in Serbia cannot safely take place in the scheduled period between July 14-27 2021. “Although the decision to postpone the Games to 2021 was taken a year ago we were convinced that the overall pandemic situation would allow us to conduct a safe Games. Today it seems that neither pending vaccination nor lockdowns and other efforts of the governments have brought the expected results yet we firmly believe that with time the situation will improve and the Games can be organised in a safe and successful manner. With the safety and well-being of the participants and the hosting country citizens as our priority we acknowledge the decision not to have the Games in Belgrade in July this year is in the best interests of all concerned ” stated Eusa President Adam ROCZEK. EUSA President ROCZEK also praised the efforts of the Serbian Government. “We recognise the support received from the Prime Minister of the Government of Serbia Ms Ana BRNABIC and the entire Government and we thank them for the cooperation and engagement in the years preparing for the event. We also appreciate all the efforts made by the Organising Committee dedication of the leaders employees and contribution of the partners and we sincerely hope to find a solution to maintain our cooperation and to find a way that the Games may be held in Belgrade at a later date. EUSA will now do a consultation with our members organisers of our events and their authorities to explore the possibilities to organise the Games at a later stage this year.”
EACH WEBINAR BROKE A NEW RECORD IN 2021
2021 ETTU Development Webinar – 3 has taken place today with another record of participants. The Webinar gathered 198 participants from 40 National Associations. The webinar’s subject was “The Road to Table Tennis Success – The Importance of being prepared for the Practice and the Match” and the lecturer from Germany was a very well-known name in the World Table Tennis community – Peter ENGEL. “It was an honor for me to have this opportunity provided by ETTU here especially by Neven und Samet to share my vision opinion and experience on this important topic with my colleagues from so many different countries. Being a trainer and coach is an interesting but also challenging profession for which participating in education exchanging knowledge and expertise same as discussing together our passion is the key to grow as a coach and with this to be prepared even better to teach and coach our players successfully ” said ENGEL. ETTU Development Manager CEGNAR said: “I am extremely glad that we had the opportunity to listen to some of Peter’s methods and ways of global preparation for training and the match. The special value of this lecture is his vision in creating quality contact between players and coaches as a basis for achieving an optimal level of performance during training or a match. For me personally the most impressive part of his webinar is the explanation and demonstration of how players can successfully adjust their technical – tactical performance to an opponent or partner during training or a match. ” ETTU Development Webinar Samet Officer POLAT added “We are very glad to see a great feedback from all over Europe. It gives a smile on our face when we see a participant-record each time for ETTU Webinar works. This work is a clear sign of that European Table Tennis community has a strong passion for table tennis; Europe wants to improve & develop more and keep working no matter what conditions are.” Our next webinar “Fit Work In Table Tennis” by Nevena KOSTOVA will be on Monday 12th of April at 2 p.m. CET.
Courting controversy but a true sporting personality we remember Chester BARNES.
England international Chester BARNES passed away on Thursday 18th March; born on Monday 27th January 1947 in Forest Gate east London he was 74 years old. He died of a heart attack. Always known as Chester but in fact legally George. The legend is that his father suggested “Chester” after the entertainer Charlie CHESTER one of the most celebrated comedians radio and later television presenters of the era; a man who could talk the hind leg off a donkey! Perhaps it suited Chester BARNES was no mean conversationalist. It was an era when England needed a table tennis star; Diane and Rosalind ROWE alongside Johnny LEACH being world champions were household names but they needed a successor someone who could attract the attention of the media the general sporting public. Enter Chester BARNES he fulfilled the role but in a rather different manner. In January 1963 he entered the English National Championships in London the finals televised on BBC; that fact alone underlines the status in those days of table tennis in England. ITV was an alternative but present in very few households BBC was really the only option. Against the odds Chester won the men’s singles event just 16 years old to this day the youngest winner ever; he retained the title in 1964 and 1965. Very much Chester was at the vanguard of a new technical era in the sport. In 1960 Stan JACOBSON had returned to England from Japan a new stroke the “loop” forehand top spin. It suited Chester to perfection. Moreover as bright as a button Chester saw opportunities and developed his own racket the blade square shape. Various theories were promoted at the time one being that if one side of the racket was straight more top spin could be imparted on the ball! Rubbish but I was very quick in 1965 to order my Chester Barnes racket at the princely sum of £1.25s.6d from Alec Brook Sports in Euston Road London; that’s about £1.27 in decimal terms with inflation approaching £20.00 in modern day money. An opportunity and another it was the “swinging sixties” the Beatles were a sensation sporting personalities emerged who made their feelings known and went beyond the bounds of sport. None more so than a certain Cassius CLAY. He arrived in England in 1963 and proclaimed he was the “greatest” prior to his fight with Henry COOPER. George BEST the Manchester United footballer became a fashion trendsetter. Chester was not to be left out. Mischievous he saw a chance to hit the headlines. He issued words to the effect “rank me number one or I will never play for England again!” The story goes that he knew he would be number one before making the statement! Conjecture outspoken but we loved him for it; he courted controversy. He was news! Later in 1971 when advised that following the Commonwealth Championships in Singapore and the World Championships in Nagoya it may be necessary to stay longer in the Japanese city alongside Denis NEALE he withdrew from the England team. Maybe an error of judgement; England received an invitation to visit China. Ping Pong Diplomacy was born Chester BARNES sadly missed out. Retired from table tennis he became assistant to Martin PIPE the British National Hunt Racehorse trainer. Interviews requested but declined he left table tennis behind somewhat sad. Did he fulfil his potential as a table tennis player? The jury is out but one fact is certain his enigmatic character engaged all the sport of table tennis was the better for his presence his name had a poetic ring it stood out hear it once and instantly remembered. A true personality did he ever realise how important he was to the sport of table tennis? Chester BARNES rest in peace. by Diane Webb & Ian Marshall
ETTU mourns passing of Roland DELHOUX
It is with great sadness that the ETTU has learned that former President of the Belgian Table Tennis Association Roland DELHOUX has passed away at the age of 75. After 15 days in intensive care Mr DELHOUX passed away last night from COVID 19. Mr DELHOUX had been the President of the Belgian Table Tennis Association from 2000 until 2018. As a school Director he was one of the first coaches in Belgium and an active promoter of table tennis in his country. He was still serving as a President of the Hainaut Province and had been President of the French part of the Belgian Association from 1994 till 2018. The ETTU’s thoughts are with Mr DELHOUX’s family and friends at this difficult time.
Executive Board meeting 17th March 2021
On Wednesday 17th March a meeting of the ETTU Executive Board was held under the leadership of President Igor LEVITIN. President LEVITIN asked Deputy President Pedro MOURA to report on their recent visit to Doha QAT and the meetings with the ITTF Executive Committee members and WTT senior management and operations teams. Mr MOURA reported that the main topics recently presented to all European member Associations at the ETTU Extraordinary Congress i.e. future WTT events in Europe pre- and post-Tokyo new World Ranking and the international calendar had been discussed in Doha. The ETTU representatives were assured that all European major concerns were being evaluated and some of these will be implemented within the ITTF Table Tennis World Ranking soon. In addition WTT guaranteed to work closely with ETTU in order not to have conflicting dates within the international and European calendars; it was confirmed that an ITTF/WTT strategic calendar for 2022-2025 will be published shortly. Mr MOURA continued that they were assured that the pathway for World Table Tennis Championships (individual and team) will be reviewed and discussed by the ITTF Executive Committee. They had been informed that the future competition model for the World Junior Table Tennis Championships will be presented to the ITTF Board of Directors for approval by postal ballot. The ETTU representatives advised ITTF Executive Committee members that ETTU will keep pushing for team competitions to count for World Ranking and for the acceptance of a dynamic formula for Continental competitions within the World Ranking to make it fair and realistic. They also notified ITTF Executive Committee members of the strong request for the 2023 European Games to be part of the Table Tennis Qualification process for Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The ETTU representatives explained the concerns within Europe that the next WTT events in China will require mandatory quarantine for players and coaches as the Tokyo Olympic Games approach. It was noted that a guarantee had been given that these events will not count towards the Olympic Ranking which determines Olympic seeding. ITTF Executive Committee members were informed of ETTU’s plans for a new European Tour and Ranking to start in 2022. The Doha meetings concluded with the ETTU representatives agreeing in principle for ETTU to sign the ITTF Master Continental Agreement 2021-2024. The agreement will cover three important fundamental aspects: governance development and events. The total amount of ITTF financial support is pending on the realisation of the Tokyo Olympic Games and the World Table Tennis Championships later this year. Vice President Heike AHLERT reported on the 2021 European Youth Championships to be held at Varaždin CRO and the proposal for a split into separate under 19 and under 15tournaments this year to assist with hygienic guidelines and precautions. As a result the host Association will encounter a significantly reduced income for the event and it was agreed to waiver the 50% support for the hospitality. The Board anticipates the split into two tournaments will mean reduced costs for players and coaches of each visiting Association. President LEVITIN closed the meeting by appointing next Executive Board meeting in Guimarães POR during next month’s European Olympic Qualification.
European Olympic Qualification – change of host city confirmation of date
The ETTU Executive Board has decided to move the 2021 European Olympic Singles Qualification from Odivelas (Lisbon) to Guimarães. The date of the event – 21-25 April 2021 – remains the same. Multiusos Guimarães hosted the 2017 EYC and is well prepared to host the qualification tournament during COVID-19. “We chose Multiusos de Guimarães because it is a venue that is capable of safely hosting the competition during these difficult times we are all living in. Guimarães will also provide different opportunities for delegations to arrive as it is served by two different airports and a train station close to the venue. Local hotels are already aware of our needs and have great experience of receiving sports delegations. FPTM Portuguese TTA has very good memories of this venue and city and we are really happy to return to the place where Portugal was born ” explained ETTU Deputy President Pedro MOURA. The Official Airport for the competition will be Oporto which is 50 km from the venue/hotel. The ETTU online entry system is open from 1 -29 March.
Europe Top 16 Cup postponed to 4th quarter of 2021
Following a request from the Montreux LOC concerning the COVID-19 situation in Switzerland the ETTU Executive Board has agreed to postpone this year’s Europe Top 16 Cup to 4th quarter of 2021. ETTU is working with ITTF and WTT to allocate a new date in the international calendar.
2021 European Youth Championships update
Following a request from the Croatia Table Tennis Association the ETTU Executive Board has agreed that the 2021 European Youth Championships will be played at the Arena Varaždin in the city of Varaždin CRO. The venue was used for the 2020 European Under 21 Championships. To ensure COVID-19 hygienic guidelines are maintained and a safe environment is provided for all participants this year the Championships will be split into two tournaments each of 7 days duration: 18-24 July 2021 – Under 19 events 26 July -1st August 2021 – Under 15 events As a result of splitting the event into two tournaments the ETTU Executive Board has agreed to waiver the usual 50% support for hospitality to compensate the host Association for any potential reduction in revenue caused by the new structure. It is anticipated this split could mean reduced costs for players and coaches of each visiting Association.
Kirill SKACHKOV booked the last ticket for Tokyo
Russia’s Kirill SKACHKOV is the last player to book his ticket for the Olympic Games in Tokyo at the World Singles Qualification Tournament in Doha. In the final of the second phase of the Men’s Event SKACHKOV overcame Liam PITCHFORD of England (7:11 11:7 8:11 12:14 7:11). At the 2012 – Olympic Games London SKACHKOV finished nineth in the Team’s Event. Maria XIAO stumbled at the last hurdle. In the final of the Women’s Singles Spain’s representative lost to Suthasini SAWETTABUT of Thailand in five games (11:13 11:5 9:11 9:11 9:11). After four days of play Kirill joined Bence MAJOROS of Hungary WANG Yang of Slovakia and Lubomir JANCARIK of Czech Republic the players who secured their positions in Tokyo this summer day earlier. In Women’s qualification the list is one name longer. Beside Suthasini SAWETTABUT in Japan will play Sweden’s Linda BERGSTRÖM Russia’s Polina MIKHAILOVA Netherland’s Britt EERLAND and Monaco’s YANG Xiaoxin.
Panagiotis GIONIS vs. Liam PITCHFORD for the place in the final
In the semifinal of the Men’s Singles Event at the World Singles Qualification Tournament in Doha Panagiotis GIONIS of Grece will meet Liam PITCHFORD of England whilst Florent LAMBIET of Belgium will play against Kirill SKACHKOV of Russia. In the ultimate stage of the Women’s Singles Maria XIAO of Spain will meet Suthasini SAWETTABUT of Thailand. GIONIS halted Ovidiu IONESCU’s progress to the semifinal of the Second phase of tournament after six games encounter (12:10 11:7 11:6 8:11 17:19 12:10) whilst Liam PITCHFORD recovered from surprising defeat against Lubomir JANCARIK in opening phase. Today he overcame young Russia’s Vladimir SIDORENKO (4:11 11:6 4:11 4:11 4:11). Florent LAMBIET overcame Niagol STOYANOV of Italy (7:11 11:9 11:9 11:3 5:11 11:8). Kirill SKACHKOV of Russia joined him after the victory over KOU Lei of Ukraine (11:3 13:11 11:9 12:14 11:5). There was a place for only one Spanish player in the final of the Women’s Event. Maria XIAO met Galia DVORAK in the semifinal of the second stage of the World Singles Qualification Tournament and the encounter concluded in her favor. She recovered from two games to null in reverse to win against DVORAK (3-11 4-11 11-7 11-9 12-10 11-3). In other semifinal Ukraine’s Margaryta PESOTSKA seeded second lost to no.3 seed Suthasini SAWETTABUT (4-11 11-9 11-9 11-8 11-9).
