The ITTF is supporting the return of international table tennis action for all professional players worldwide. Starting today athletes can register for the 2020 ITTF Swedish International Open taking place between 30 November – 5 December in Helsingborg Sweden. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic shook the planet in 2020 all table tennis players around the world have been limited to the practice hall or at best to domestically or regionally organised events. The upcoming #RESTART series this November will see a selection of the world’s biggest names battle it out for top honours having either qualified or been invited to take part in the prestigious events in China. However the majority of athletes worldwide were still without an international platform to compete upon and put their many hard long and lonely months of training to the test until now. The ITTF is proud to present the 2020 ITTF Swedish International Open offering some much-awaited action to the entire population of professional table tennis players. Thanks to the support of the Swedish Table Tennis Association the Köping Arena in Helsingborg is set to host and welcome a vast pool of senior players as well as Under 21 athletes from across the globe. Participants will be going for glory in the men’s singles women’s singles U21 men’s singles and U21 women’s singles competitions. A total prize purse of USD 40 000 and Challenge points awarded based on the 2020 ITTF World Ranking Regulation add extra appeal for athletes looking to climb the ladder again. Three days of group-stage matches will be held between 30 November – 2 December followed by three more days of intense knockout rounds taking place between 3 – 5 December to decide who will end the challenges of 2020 on a high. Whilst this will be the first international table tennis event hosted in Sweden this year the Swedish Table Tennis Association introduced a new-look Sweden Tour in the summer to rejuvenate their domestic calendar amidst the pandemic. The ITTF is looking forward to welcoming all players to the 2020 ITTF Swedish International Open to celebrate the return of table tennis events on the global stage. Click here for more information about the event.
2021 Europe Top 16 Cup postponed to a date after the Tokyo Olympic Games in late 2021
Following a request from Swiss Table Tennis and the Montreux LOC taking into account the Covid pandemic situation in Switzerland and the restrictions imposed by the Swiss authorities the ETTU Executive Board has agreed to postpone the 2021 Europe Top 16 Cup due to be held in February 2021 at Montreux to a date after the Tokyo Olympic Games in late 2021.
Andreas GEORGIOU elected Cyprus NOC General Secretary
The Cyprus Table Tennis Association announced that during the elections held on October 19 2020 in Cyprus for the election of the new council of the Cyprus Olympic Committee the President of Cyprus Table Tennis Association Andreas GEORGIOU was elected as the new General Secretary of the National Olympic Committee for the period 2020-2024. Andreas GEORGIOU has been a Cyprus Table Tennis champion for a number of years he has participated in many World Table Tennis Championships with the National teams and has served as member in many committees as part of the International Table Tennis Federation. (ITTF) and the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU). GEORGIOU is Vice President of the Mediterranean Table Tennis Union (MTTU) and in the Board of directors of Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation for Europe. He is also the General Secretary of the Cyprus National Paralympic Committee. The Cyprus Table Tennis family as well as friends of the sport held joy for his election and his great achievement. The President of the Cyprus Table Tennis Association expressed his gratitude to those who have supported him in the elections and also thanked the global family of Table Tennis and all officials who have been supporting him with love and appreciation for so many years. He promised to continue his efforts in his new position and offer even more in the promotion of the Table Tennis.
BOBOCICA and VIVARELLI clinched the titles at the Top 12 Alperia Cup
Mihai bobocica (Aeronautica Militare) and Debora VIVARELLI (Centro Sportivo Esercito) won the titles in their respective Men’a and Women’s Events at the Top 12 “Alperia Cup” which took place at “Maso della Pieve” Table Tennis Center in Bolzano. The tournament organized by the FITeT Provincial Committee of Bolzano led by the president Ardelio MICHIELLI and the vicepresident Gabriella FILIPPI was the second competitive event after the lockdown two weeks after the Top 10 in Cortemaggiore. The twelve protagonists of the men’s and women’s tournaments were divided into four groups and the top two of each were progressed to the quarter-finals. In the men’s main draw BOBOCICA beat in the quarter-final Paolo BISI (Il Circolo Prato 2010) 3-1; in the semifinal he beat Marco RECH DALDOSSO (Aeronautica Militare) 3-0 and in a very tough final Jordy PICCOLIN (Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre) 3-2. PICCOLIN in the previous rounds had eliminated Antonino AMATO (Marcozzi Cagliari) 3-1 and Daniele PINTO (Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre) 3-0. RECH DALDOSSO and PINTO shared the third step of the podium. “It was a very hard final ” commented BOBOCICA – “because Jordy played very aggressively both with the forehand and with the backhand. It is also known how dangerous his service is. I didn’t expect him to make so much resistance and against such an opponent my success has even greater value. I am happy because despite all the difficulties imposed by the health emergency in the last few weeks I have won four events in addition to this also the Top 10 in Cortemaggiore and two Challenger Series tournaments in Ochsenhausen Germany. The form is good and with the Super Cup and the first division around the corner this is an excellent news”. VIVARELLI eliminated Valentina RONCALLO (Teco Corte Auto Cortemaggiore) 3-1 Nicole ARLIA (Brunetti Castel Goffredo) 3-0 and in the final she defeated Arianna BARANI (Teco Corte Auto Cortemaggiore) 3-0. BARANI is the creator of the exit of Le Thi Hong LOAN (Brunetti Castel Goffredo) 3-2 and Gaia MONFARDINI (Brunetti Castel Goffredo) 3-1 Third place for ARLIA and MONFARDINI. “After eight months of inactivity” explains VIVARELLI ” in these two days I brought out all the desire I had to play and all the determination I had. I am happy and also a little tired. I hope this is just the beginning and that we can go on like this because everyone has a strong will to take the field. First of all I would like to thank Centro Sportivo Esercito and then my club Eppan where I can train every day in this beautiful venue and all those who made this tournament possible”. Men’s Top 12: Quarter-finals: Mihai BOBOCICA – Paolo BISI 3-1 (6-11 11-6 11-6 11-9) Marco RECH DALDOSSO – John Michael OYEBODE 3-1 (9-11 11-8 11-9 11-6) Daniele PINTO – Alessandro BACIOCCHI 3-0 (11-8 11-9 11-9) Jordy PICCOLIN – Antonino AMATO 3-1 (7-11 11-7 11-6 11-9) Semifinals: Mihai BOBOCICA – Marco RECH DALDOSSO 3-0 (11-7 11-4 11-7) Jordy PICCOLIN – Daniele PINTO 3-0 (11-4 11-9 12-10) Final: Mihai BOBOCICA – Jordy PICCOLIN 3-2 (6-11 11-5 5-11 11-8 11-7) Women’s Top 12: Quarter-finals: Debora VIVARELLI – Valentina RONCALLO 3-1 (6-11 11-6 11-7 11-7) Nicole ARLIA – Diana STYHAR 3-2 (11-9 9-11 11-9 9-11 11-9) Gaia MONFARDINI – Elisa ARMANINI 3-0 (11-5 11-5 11-5) Arianna BARANI – Le Thi Hong LOAN 3-2 (11-8 10-12 11-9 8-11 11-8) Semifinals: Debora VIVARELLI – Nicole ARLIA 3-0 (11-0 11-9 11-8) Arianna BARANI – Gaia MONFARDINI 3-1 (13-11 14-12 4-11 11-7) Final: Debora VIVARELLI – Arianna BARANI 3-0 (11-8 11-6 12-10)
Nicolas GREINER national coach of the French TT Federation pases away
European Table Tennis Union is saddened by the recent sudden passing of Nicolas GREINER a national coach of the French TT Federation and licensed to Saint Denis Union Sports 93 TT Club. Nicolas was present at last week’s Europe Youth Top 10 in Berlin. Our deepest sympathies are passed to his family and friends. “It is a big shock for everyone. In addition Nicolas was a very good coach. I had a chat with him in Berlin during the recent Europe Youth Top 10 tournament. He was so pleased to be at that event with the French team despite the Corona conditions and so happy and proud with the title success of Prithika PAVADE” said ETTU Vice President Heike AHLERT.
Become a for World Table Tennis Day promoter
You are passionate about table tennis? You strive for social development? You care about gender equality and you want to take action? And you’ve always wanted to be part of the ITTF Foundation family? PERFECT! Because ITTF Foundation are looking for World Table Tennis Day Promoters. The World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) Promoter Initiative is an opportunity for make WTTD and table tennis sport more popular in your country or territory. “Your main responsibility as a WTTD Promoter is to share the WTTD idea among your community in your country or territory. We expect you to organise a WTTD 2021 event in your community AND motivate other organisers to join the movement. This edition focusses on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by contributing to FEMpowerment through Table Tennis. We believe in fundamental human rights for everyone regardless of their gender age ethnical group religion skills and physical ability ” ITTF Foundation announced. Who can become a WTTD Promoter? EVERYBODY who is passionate about table tennis who is striving for gender equality in and through our sport and who is able to be nominated by a not-for-profit organisation that applies for their funds before 1 November 2021. Priority will be given to women but this is not a must. What’s in it for you? 250€ for each successful applicant to cover any costs related to the promotion of the 2021 WTTD in the respective country / territory 1 top brand clothing kit including 1 WTTD Promoter shirt Supporting girls and women in your community through table tennis Contributing to the UN SDG 5 for gender equality ITTF Foundation certificate FUN! What are your tasks? Get a registered not-for-profit organisation that can apply for you before 1 November 2021. This could be your National Association your Regional Association or even your club if it’s a not-for-profit one or any other not-for-profit organisation you trust. Organise a WTTD 2021 event with the focus on female empowerment and gender equality and motivate others in your country / territory to host their own events! Prepare a small report about the before and after WTTD situation of female players in your community! The applications are open until 1 November 2020. We kindly ask you to apply here: APPLY NOW! Please download the document here and send it together with the requested attachments to april6@foundation.ittf.com.
Bruna TAKAHASHI and the Enzo ANGLES clinched the titles in Spain
In their respective Women’s and Man’s Singles Event Brazilian Bruna TAKAHASHI and the French Enzo ANGLES have won the titles in the first edition of the Spanish Masters 2020 which was held on October 13-15 at the hotel RIU Plaza España in Madrid. TAKAHASHI showed she had a better nerves in the end. She nullified the great efforts of Charlotte CAREY who leveled the score despite being 0-3 in reverse. Finally Bruna TAKAHASHI won 11-7 in the decisive game to clinch the title. The Spanish Sofía-Xuan ZHANG and Galia DVORAK managed to reach the semifinals of the tournament losing to Bruna TAKAHASHI (4-2) and Charlotte CAREY (4-3) respectively. ZHANG had the lead at 2-1 but the Brazilian stayed firm on her way and took the final three sets to reach the final. DVORAK had a chance to reach the final but the Welshwoman with 9-9 in the sixth game tied the match taking it to the final game and won 11-6. Belgium’s NUYTICNK was a favorite to win the title. However Enzo ANGLES beat the odds and won against NUYTINCK 4-0. Spain’s Endika DIEZ and Miguel Ángel VILCHEZ reached the semifinals demonstrating the good side of Spanish table tennis. The Irundarra faced NUYTINCK (0-4) and the Granada player played the final phase against Enzo ANGLES (1-4). The second edition of the Spanish Masters 2020 will take place on November 24-26 at the Plaza España hotel and will include a spectacular line up of players. In December (8-10) the third of tournament will be played.
Sinopec Lubricant Company announced Major Sponsor of 2020 ITTF Men’s World Cup
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) confirms that Sinopec Lubricant Company is a Major Sponsor of the upcoming Dishang 2020 ITTF Men’s World Cup scheduled for 13 – 15 November 2020. The largest high-tier lubricant manufacturer and marketer in China Sinopec Lubricant Company has widely applied its leading lubrication technology for aerospace in high-end equipment manufacturing aviation high-speed railway large ships construction machinery and passenger vehicles. The company is a natural fit as Major Sponsor of the Dishang 2020 ITTF Men’s World Cup having established an extensive and in-depth association with the sports industry at large. An Official Sponsor at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the forthcoming Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Sinopec Lubricant Company’s support for sport is unequalled by its competitors in the lubricant industry. The ITTF Men’s World Cup traditionally sits amongst the most prestigious annual international table tennis events featuring many of the sport’s best players from all parts of the world and counting towards the Grand Slam (Olympic Games World Championships World Cups). Staged at the newly opened Weihai Nanhai Olympic Center in Weihai China the Dishang 2020 ITTF Men’s World Cup will see 21 of the biggest names in table tennis battle it out for major honours. The event will see the return of international men’s table tennis action as part of the #RESTART series following months of inactivity due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “Table tennis enjoys a strong audience base in China and China plays a pivotal role in popularising and promoting table tennis around the world. We have seen an increasing number of Chinese leading enterprises in various fields supporting table tennis which demonstrates just how bright the future is for our sport and we are delighted to have Sinopec Lubricant Company on board for the 2020 ITTF Men’s World Cup. Bonded by the table tennis culture of fair play and sportsmanship we share a common philosophy of continuous improvement and excellence ” said Xu Yi ITTF Head of Sponsorship (China).
Executive Board meeting Wednesday 14th October
The ETTU Executive Board under the leadership of President Igor Levitin met virtually on Wednesday 14th October. EB members congratulated the Committee Chairs with their appointment and were updated with their plans for 2020-2022 and proposals for the work of their committees during the next 2 years. The President thanked the Committee Chairs and looked forward to further inputs from them and the Executive Board member with responsibility for each Committee. At the November Executive Board meeting the programmes of all Committee Chairs will be approved. Following the decision to play the 2020-2021 Men’s and Women’s Champions Leagues as Covid secure ‘bubble’ events in December at two central venues the Board received presentations from the organisers Andreas Preuss (Düsseldorf) and Robert Renner (Linz). The Board was updated on the Europe Cup 1st round groups due to be played on 12th/13th December. Hosts for 6 groups have been confirmed and negotiations with the hosts of the remaining 2 groups are on-going. The Board considered the request from the Polish TT Federation to allocate the dates 21st to 27th June 2021 for the2020 ITTF European Championships postponed last month due to the Covid pandemic and approved the proposed dates. At the next Executive Board working meeting next week the question regarding the European Team Championships stage 1 groups and the proposal to play each A group as a round robin of 3 matches at one venue per group in January 2021 will be considered. Additional arrangements to ensure Covid security will be considered as well. The President thanked the German Association (DTTB) for organising the Youth Top 10 at Berlin.
WTT Youth Series launching in 2021
World Table Tennis (WTT) is gearing up to set the stage alight with its arrival in 2021 and it’s not just the senior stars who are set to benefit. WTT promises to take the sport of table tennis in an exciting and dynamic direction putting the world’s biggest stars front and centre for all to admire and is also set to shake up the sport in the junior structure to replace the ITTF World Junior Circuit which has played a significant role in guiding some of today’s most eye-catching talents to the very top. Showcasing the stars of tomorrow the new WTT Youth Series will hand the next generation of table tennis talents the perfect stage to develop and bring you closer to the future of table tennis! The new structure will be broken down into two tiers: WTT Youth Contenders and WTT Youth Star Contenders and aligns the WTT Youth Series with the WTT Series to create a whole of sport playing pathway. With the aim of increasing inter-generation competitiveness and giving the opportunity for more talented and/or faster improving players to put their skills to the test against slightly older opponents the WTT Youth series will include the following age categories: U11 U13 U15 U17 and U19. The journey for table tennis players begins with the WTT Youth Contenders which will open the playing field to all young up-and-coming athletes. Up to 30 events per year are being targeted providing plenty of opportunity for players to earn World Ranking points along the way. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) will be required to host U15 and U19 athletes and will be encouraged to welcome all other age categories too. The next step up the international ladder the WTT Youth Star Contenders will be reserved for the cream of the future crop with performance and World Ranking points earned at the WTT Youth Contender events determining who qualifies for the Youth Star Contender series. Increased prize money in addition to high-level event production playing conditions and sports presentation 32 boys and 32 girls will line up in the singles categories as they look to state their intentions loud and clear to the table tennis world! All matches will be contested in a best of five games format under the new regulations while prize money and TV production funding will be handled by WTT moving the added expenditure away from the LOC. WTT’s senior events are due to kick off from March 2021 and the WTT Youth Series will be up and running from the following month. April 2021 is the targeted launch time in order to allow a smooth transition to the new system whilst continuing to prioritise safety during these times of global uncertainty. Further steps will be taken to promote and maintain a safe environment including: Boys’ and girls’ events will take place separately with a day off between the events; Omittance of mixed doubles and team competitions; All participants should be accommodated in the official hospitality package (entry fee option will not be available). Furthermore the delayed start to the WTT Youth Series will allow for the first time multiple Youth Series events to be scheduled in the same week in separate continents. As of today the bidding process to host WTT Youth Series events is open with interested National Associations free to stage multiple events over the course of 2021. Put your city in the spotlight and prepare to welcome the sport’s brightest talents with the WTT Youth Series! To submit your bid or for more information please contact us at youth@worldtabletennis.com. The deadline to submit your bid is 15 November 2020.
