We are in an individual sport we have team spirit and individual responsibility said coach VATSAKLIS   For the first time since mid-March and the start of the quarantine in Greece the National Training Center opened again at Stadium Peace and Friendship. With the approval of the Deputy Minister of Sports Lefteris AVGENAKIS under the guidance of the Health Scientific Committee of Sports with absolute reverence in the observance of the rules of hygiene and with strict discipline in the Health Protocols eight athletes (4 men and 4 women) practiced yesterday in the national hall of the Peace and Friendship Stadium in the presence of the general secretary of sports George MAVROTAS.   It is a very important improve and one of the first timid steps in restarting sports. In today’s first training session Panagiotis GIONIS Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS Konstantinos AGGELAKIS Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS Katerina TOLIOU Georgia ZAVITSANOU Elisavet TERPOU and Malamatenia PAPADIMITRIOU took part with the national coaches Konstantinos VATSAKLIS and Konstantinos KOSTOPOULOS.   Under these special conditions only the athletes who are included in the Olympic preparation start trial were on duty; not all those who train at SEF as members of the pre-national teams nor all the athletes since the sports facilities the gyms the halls of the clubs remain closed.   Alongside the legendary water polo player and current general secretary of sports George MAVROTAS the federal hall at SEF visited the president of HTTF and General Secretary of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Manolis KOLYMPADIS the president of SEF Christina TSILIGIRI and the Director – Coordinator of SEF Panagiotis KOUTSOGIANNIS. They wanted to check the implementation of health protocols.   Disinfections and maintenance have been carried out with great care in the sports facility. At the entrance of the athletes the temperature is measured with special thermometers on the walls there are antiseptics as well as in the national hall which is ventilated; it is equipped with gloves masks disinfectants while the distances are strictly observed. The locker rooms are not used as are the showers. Of course the resumption of training takes place behind closed doors while in general in SEF entry without permission is prohibited.   Konstantinos VATSAKLIS and Konstantins KOSTOPOULOS said to the athletes:   “We are going slowely with absolute attention and observance of the rules of hygiene so that we can all start the trainings as soon as possible. We are making an effort to restore normality to all. We are not the privileged we are going to open a way. We are in an individual sport we have team spirit and individual responsibility. Many people have worked hard to get started. It’s our turn to enter and prove what sport is.”      

The Belgium Table Tennis Association – Flemish part (VTTL) is still seeking a Head-Coach for the 18+ players Cédric NUYTINCK Robin DEVOS Laurens DEVOS Olav KOSOLOSKY and other future top-players to complete the staff of 3 coaches and physiotherapist.   In this job coach will be responsible for all aspects of the development and results of the players (planning training coaching before during and after tournaments). To fill this exciting and demanding role we are looking for a dynamic individual with experience in men’s international table tennis coaching and a commitment to contribute to the Flemish Table Tennis Federation vision ‘making Table Tennis the most successful indoor sport in Belgium ‘.   Job description: Head Coach-Trainer for men’s team   Starting date : 1st of June 2020 (until 31/12/2020 with possibility for renewal if evaluated positively)   General items :   To speak English and basic Dutch (after 1 year ) during training To have the highest trainer-coaching degree in his/her country Standard training location is Leuven Belgium .You will be flexible for trainings sessions and you are expected to travel abroad Salary : To be discussed ; Independent contract To be holder of a driving license. Duties and responsibilities: End responsibility for sportive policy of the elite team (selection procedure season’s planning training planning …) Participates at and leads the process of the men’s 18+ team as a trainer/coach throughout the entire season with a fixed amount of practices during the week and intensively during the preparation fase of major tournaments (European championships World championships …) Making a season’s planning periodisation week schedules technical/tactical analysis for all the 18+ male players Takes the sportive lead during major tournaments Advising and supporting role in the top sport school and regional training Monitors (together with the technical director) the development line in Flemish table tennis Reports to the top sport commission and the high performance technical director.   Applications can be send and discussed: info@vttl.be and +32 475 315633 If you think you got what it takes Belgium Table Tennis Association look forward to hear from you. Please send your letter and CV before 24th of May 2020 to info@vttl.be

Vladimir SAMSONOV is in Montenegro with his family. There is more strict quarantine and you cannot leave the house without the need.   “I think this measure can be understood. We all should pay even more attention to the non-proliferation of the virus and naturally take care of our families and follow the advice of doctors. Now I do not have the opportunity to train outside the home. So I’m mainly engaged in physical training”.   Despite the suspension of the Olympic Games to the summer of 2021 SAMSONOV expects to reach the seventh Games in his career. And despite the fact that time does not work for him emphasizes:   “ I’m already interested not just to plunge into the Olympic atmosphere; I don’t want to be a tourist at the Olympics. If I get there I simply must do everything in order to fight for the medal”.   Vladimir did not remain indifferent during the period of the threat of the coronavirus epidemic in Belarus. Samsonov transferred 10 thousand Euros to the charity account of the medical response organization center.  

We asked President of the Belarus Table Tennis Association Alexandre PETKEVITCH about the current situation in Belarus sport.   “Unfortunately the situation with the spread of coronavirus in Belarus is not improving. As well as everywhere in the world the tournament activity in the country has been suspended until better times. Of course athletes are eager for battle waiting for the renewal of competitions and they do not waste the time. Belarus national team players continued with two-time per day trainings in the training center where access to strangers is strictly limited. These days players do not leave the center between morning and evening workouts but they rest and eat in the venue since meals are organized and go home only in the evening ” explained PETKEVITCH.   Belarus Table Tennis Federation press-officer talked with athletes.   How you feel about cancellation of competitions (TOKYO 2020 in particular or the ITTF Challenge Plus Belarus Open)?   Daria TRIGOLOS: Nowadays suspension of the events is the necessary measures so you need to take the current situation and use the time effectively work on yourself. New dates for the Olympic Games is possible for the better. This year it would be very difficult to qualify and there is another year to increase the level of the game and score rating points. Belarus Open is always a solemn tournament for us and a big event where we want to show our best game in the home arena. Therefore I hope that Belarus Open will nevertheless be held this year.   Nadezhda BOGDANOVA: I am even glad somehow. There is more time to prepare and there are more chances to qualify for the Games.   Aleksandr KHANIN: it’s hard time right now therefore in the situation that has prevailed I consider the suspension of competitions as the right decision. Sports are sports and health is more important. If the competitions were held as on schedule the athletes could not have come up to them in good shape.   Pavel PLATONOV: I take calmly the fact that the Olympics Belarus Open and other competitions are postponed. Everyone needs to take these necessary measures. I think that this is the only right decision in this situation for the health of spectators athletes coaches and everyone involved in the competitions.   What are the positive moments for you in the current situation and what are the negative ones?   Daria TRIGOLOS: the positive point is that we have a long training period. This is a great opportunity to improve the weaknesses of your game and improve your strengths. Besides much more attention can be paid to general physical fitness which is also very important. The negative point is that we will have no competitive practice for a long time. But this is not a big problem. When the competition resumes we will quickly get involved.   Nadezhda BOGDANOVA: the advantage is that there is an opportunity to improve your physical abilities and game quality thanks to training and general physical education classes. And as the negative point it is very exhausting.   Aleksandr KHANIN: the biggest disadvantage is the lack of competitive practice of course viz. cancellation of all tournaments and club matches. But of course there are many pluses. Now you can focus on the training process as during the season there is too little time for it. In addition usually I spend a lot of time abroad and now I can stay in my hometown with my family with my mother and friends.    Pavel PLATONOV: For myself I see positive aspects in the fact that now we will have more time for the training process it will be possible to devote more time to physical training as well as to better work out the technical elements in table tennis make and try out some adjustments. The negative point is the lack of competitions for a long period of time I mean the lack of game practice but I think it is compensated after.   How are you preparing now what has changed in the training system?   Daria TRIGOLOS: We train a lot at not only the tables but also pay great attention to physical training now. After morning practice at the tables we do in the gym after evening session there is physical training as well as cross training if the weather allows. We also take time for proper recovery go for a massage do psychological training.   Nadezhda BOGDANOVA: Now we have increased the amount of physical fitness; we do this almost every day. In addition slightly reduced training directly at the tables.   Aleksandr KHANIN: we are now focusing more on physical fitness. This is the physical fitness and training in the gym plus cross running on the street. Tennis has become a little less. I believe that at a time like this (long time without competitions) table tennis is not so important physical fitness is more important to get fit by the beginning of next season.   Pavel PLATONOV: I do not have a big difference in the training system now; I do a little more physical training.    

Jamila LAURENTI is at home in Italy. Country’s Government is easing what has been Europe’s longest lockdown on Monday. Italy imposed the Western world’s first peacetime national lockdown already in the first half of March.   “I spend my days with my parents. We have been in quarantine for about 50 days ” said LAURENTI.” In the morning I wake up I have breakfast and then I practice in my gym that I have at home with my dad. After lunch I rest and then I do two hours of physical preparation. Sometimes I play twice a day.”   Silver medalist from Ostrava in Junior Girls Singles Event Jamila look at the situation with optimism.   “Two or three times a week I have online lessons to follow and this takes me a long time. But I’m so happy because I always have something to do. I’m spending this period in peace … fortunately we are all well. I finally had an opportunity to spend a lot of time with my family.”   Good opportunity for healthy lifestyle.   “I also started dieting and I am very happy with my results!”   Music and moves are the important part of routine.   “I generally listen to a lot of music. It’s my favorite hobby and I love to dance! I really like pop and I get excited with ragaetton. I think I have seen almost all Netflix movies in this period. I like to watch them in the company of my parents. I usually prefer to watch comedy and action. I don’t really like horror films. I watch also TV series.”   There is a time for something new.   “I opened a new YouTube Channel I always wanted it and finally I had some time to do it. I’m so happy and grateful.”   Jamila started to play table tennis when she was 8 years old.   “My dad played in Italy and I started thanks to him. As a child I always accompanied him and I saw all his matches. I was his number one fan. I realized table tennis will become my call when I was selected for the first time for the senior national team. It was great to see my name down there. I never thought about giving up. I always wanted to play also when I had bad periods. My dad always told to me: “of course you will always have some problems but if you really love what you do then you are ready to fight and believe in your dreams everything happens for a reason.” He’s my mood of life my boss my life and the person that impressed me the most. For me he’s a as big champion in life as in sport.   Last year’s success is one of her favorite moments.   “The most beautiful moment for me was at Europeans in Ostrava when I won the silver medal. Then also when I secured the Olympic pass in Paraguay and when I was runner up in the Italian National championships for seniors in 2018. The biggest sadness was when I failed to qualify for the quarterfinals at World Junior in Thailand. And the second one was to went out in Team’s Event at European Championships against France.”   LAURENTI was a member of the Youth Olympic team.   “The most special place for me was in Argentina in Buenos Aires at the Youth Olympics.”   She hopes she will be member of Olympic team as senior too.   “My next goal is surely to become a competitive player at a senior level and also to be able to reach the top 50 in the World. My dream is to participate at Olympic Games.”        

Europe is playing table tennis again. The duel between Karoline MISCHEK and LIU Jia at the Austrian Challenge played tonight in the TV Center of Austrian national broadcaster ORF was the first match in Europe after 8th March. The last event in Europe before the pandemic shutdown was the European Under 21 Championships in Varaždin whilst the players from Europe globally were active until the ITTF Challenge Plus Oman Open in Muscat on 15th March. After that date the table tennis sport stopped in Europe.   The Austrian Challenge was televised live and beside duel between MISCHEK and LIU the TV spectators were able to watch the match between Stefan FEGERL and Daniel HABESOHN. In the first round LIU overcame MISCHEK 2:1 (8:11 11:7 11:9) whilst FEGERL beat HABESOHN 2:0 (11:8 11:6).   In next round the winners and losers met in best of five games encounters and in each game the woman received a six point start in each game with exception of the decisive one. The last game started from 3:0 advantage for woman. In first match HABESOHN overcame MISCHEK 2:3 (11:9 7:11 10:12 11:7 6:8). In the duel of the winners of the first round LIU beat FEGERL 3:2 (11:7 11:3 9:11 8:11 6:3).  

The ITTF Executive Committee met on Friday 1st May 2020 to discuss the latest situation regarding COVID-19.  Upon receiving a comprehensive update report from the COVID-19 Task Force which was set up to monitor the global situation closely here are the key outcomes reached during today’s meeting:  • The current period of suspension of all ITTF events and activities has been extended up until the end of July 2020; the situation is being monitored closely for an eventual restart of ITTF events in August 2020. • All World Veterans Tour (WVT) and Table Tennis X (TTX) events have been cancelled for the remainder of 2020. • A decision about the status of the Hana Bank 2020 World Team Table Tennis Championships will be made in June 2020. • ITTF management have been asked to find ways to reduce operation costs overall including the need for there to be some HR restructure in order to manage 2020 financial realities.  The ITTF Executive Committee will meet again on 2nd June 2020 and the ITTF will continue to provide further updates on all upcoming decisions in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.