Dusseldorf`s side reached its very first title champions are Thomas SCHMIDBERGER und Sandra MIKOLASCHEK Borussia Dusseldorf is the new German champion in the wheelchair table tennis. That is the very first crown of the most successful European club in table tennis ten times TTCLM winner. Before the final round Borussia Duisburg and Koblenz were leveled at the top and the final decision came after matches between them. Dusseldorf beat both their opponents 3:2 to secure the top with 24 points in front of Duisburg and Koblenz (both 22). Borussia was represented with Thomas SCHMIDBERGER und Sandra MIKOLASCHEK. SCHMIDBERGER was unique undefeated player in the league.
Table Tennis for NepALL a Huge Success on World Table Tennis Day
The centerpiece of World Table Tennis Day “Table Tennis for NepALL” held in Kathmandu was a massive success with large crowds turning out at the event to celebrate table tennis. The Table Tennis for NepALL Project’s main aim is to develop the practice of playing Table Tennis among people with a disability in Nepal. The ceremony yesterday also inaugurated the newly renovated Para Table Tennis Training Centre in Kathmandu (damaged by last year’s earthquake) and celebrated the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT who was the guest-of-honour at the ceremony stated: “Table Tennis is not only a question of competition as we have seen here we can make a big difference in people’s life using our sport for development and peace in this case improving the conditions of children with a disability. “ “Today we inaugurated the newly renovated training center for para-athletes damaged by the earthquake it has been financed by the government of the Republic of Korea through the United Nations Office of Sport for Development and Peace but I am proud to say that the table tennis family also contributed financially The ITTF together with its six Continental Table Tennis Federations.That clearly shows that we are one sport one family supporting those in crisis in this case created by a natural disaster.” continued the ITTF President. UN Secretary General Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace Wilfried LEMKE echoed Mr. WEIKERT’s thoughts: “What a great way to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace and the World Table Tennis Day today on April 6 through the launching of the Table Tennis for NepALL project and the inauguration of the newly renovated Para Table Tennis Training Centre. The International Olympic Committee the United Nations and the International Table Tennis Federation put words into action by promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities and bringing back hope after a disaster.” ITTF Development Director Leandro Olvech added: “I am delighted with the inauguration of the Table Tennis for NepALL project it is not only a three years project to promote Para Table Tennis but also combined with the renovation of their training center that included the building of accessible bathrooms which might not be important in other countries but being in the National Rehabilitation Center it should be a must and now they have them through this project.” The Table Tennis for NepALL is a close partnership of ITTF UNOSDP Nepal Disabled Table Tennis Association and All Nepal Table Tennis Association. The All Nepal Table Tennis Association was rewarded last night when Mr. WEIKERT announced that the ITTF’s Dream Building program would support the renovation of the National Training Centre Overall the World Table Tennis day is being a great success even bigger than last year. So far there has been 166 registered events in 74 countries that have all sent out the message that table tennis is popular universal and inclusive sport!
European Table Tennis Qualification Tournament live on www.laola1.tv
Vienna 07. April 2016 – Europe’s best table tennis players in the battle for their ticket to Rio de Janeiro: The European Table Tennis Qualification Tournament for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro is held from Tuesday 12 April until Saturday 16 April in Halmstad Sweden. LAOLA1.tv is covering the competition with comprehensive reporting and showing all matches from table 1 and 2 live. Europe’s table tennis women and men are facing five days of intense fighting to get one of the precious tickets to Rio de Janeiro. But in the end only 10 women and 10 men will be able to qualify in Halmstad for the Olympic Games in Brazil. Up to 6 players (maximum 3 men and 3 women) of each National Olympic Committee (NOC) may enter the competition except for the NOC whose players won the European Games singles event. This NOC are only allowed to send 2 men (GER) or 2 women (NED). Maximum 2 players from one nation can qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games singles events. The games will be played in “best of 7 games” mode. The preliminary stage draw will be conducted on Monday 11 April at 2pm local time (CEST). LAOLA1.tv will broadcast all games from table one and two worldwide and live and then provide full match coverage on its website. As an added benefit Premium members will be able to follow the matches on the move on their smartphones on the computer accessing up to four simultaneous live streams or via Smart TV in top HD and commercial-free quality. The European Table Tennis Qualification live on LAOLA1.tv: Tuesday 12 April (CEST) 10.00 am: Table 1 10.00 am: Table 2 Wednesday 13 April (CEST) 11.00 am: Table 1 11.00 am: Table 2 Thursday 14 April (CEST) 9.30 am: Table 1 9.30 am: Table 2 Friday 15 April (CEST) 10.00 am: Table 1 10.00 am: Table 2 Saturday 16 April (CEST) 10.00 am: Table 1 10.00 am: Table 2
Christian ADAM: Eslovs to be tough hurdle at the end of TTCLM
Pontoise`s coach praises his players who overcame two most powerful European clubs in the last ten years Borussia Dusseldorf (quarter-finals) and Orenburg (semi-finals) Current French champion AS Pontoise Cergy targets two titles in the rest of the 2015/16 season as a leading team of national league and the finalist of the Table Tennis Champions League Men. In the last two seasons they got two biggest achievements in their history winning TTCLM in 2014 and Pro A League in the 2015 but 2016 could be special one. Pontoise established itself as one of the two most successful TTCLM participants in the last three seasons securing the second final through battles against top seeded Fakel Gazproma Orenburg. Russian team has been named as the huge favorite at the beginning of the season but French side upset them second time in three years (Pontoise beat Orenburg in the 2014 final). “This is a great victory to win among the best European team of the past five years! We knew that although it would be very difficult it was possible to do it because we are one of the few teams to have already beaten them in recent years” stated Pontoise`s coach Christian ADAM. Marcos FREITAS Kristian KARLSSON Tristan FLORE and WANG Jian Jun were faced with many tough hurdles during the 2015/16 TTCLM season having two games in the group stage against Eslovs Al Bordtennis their upcoming adversary in the final. Both teams won their away matches. “This shows the value of our team as our “road” to the final has not been easy: indeed in our group we had Eslovs that we are going to find again in final Bremen team that is going to play ETTC final. In the quarter-finals we beat Borussia Dusseldorf and in the semi-finals Orenburg ! We are aware that everything remains to be done because we know the value of Eslövs’ team. It will still be a very hard fight!” stressed Christian ADAM.
Greece celebrated the World Table Tennis Day
Greece celebrated the Table tennis yesterday. The April 6th was celebrated for the second year in Greece with many events organized by clubs – members of the Greek Federation. Some clubs made the action in their areas other in schools or even outdoor at squares all in all they gathered hundreds of friends of sport and show them that table tennis could be played anywhere by anyone! The global celebration gathered Iraklis G.S. Thessaloniki A.S.E.A. Sarises Florina A.S. Ifitos Patras A.S. ALFA YMCA Thessaloniki A.O. Ilissos Kallithea M.G.S. Ethnikos Alexandroupolis and Pharos of Alexandroupolis all over the country. The biggest events were held in Thessaloniki Florina and Alexandroupoli. The team of Iraklis placed one table in the gym of Mantoulidis Schools and gathered about 300 students. The kids enjoyed spectacular exhibition game from two athletes of the club got information about the sport and played. Football players of Iraklis joined the celebration among the water polo players representatives of rhythmic gymnastics and swimming… Florina local club in Sarises attracted dozens of children in George Square Modi and for six hours gave them the chance to enjoy table tennis and learn basics of sport. The slogan was Join Us and the younger students built beautiful paintings celebrating the spirit of the day. Four tables were set up and more than 100 childrenn tried to play with the help of coaches and athletes of the club. Sarises prepared a beautiful video (duration 3.5 minutes) from the event and you can find it here In Alexandroupolis the clubs of Ethnikos and Pharos organized an action together in the gymnasium of the first primary school. They invited the primary schools of the city and for four hours gave them the opportunity to come into contact with the Olympic sport. Dozens of children enjoyed the game and tried their talents in table tennis. Moreover every class of the schools drew a picture with subject “the sport of table tennis.” The best picture will be awarded while all together will adorn the training areas of the two clubs. By I. FAKAROS
Happy World Table Tennis Day!
Today 6 April 2016 marks the second ever World Table Tennis Day a day to celebrate table tennis throughout the globe This year there are 154 events in 67 countries in every continent around the world that have officially registered an official World Table Tennis event making it the biggest and best yet. This shows the world that table tennis is a sport for all – for everyone everywhere. Remember the key point of World Table Tennis Day is: •Universal Popular and Inclusive •No matter if small or big event do something! •No matter if 6 April before or after do something! Millions of people are playing table tennis today submitting photos and videos at TT4All.com.
Tarnobrzeg after 17 years in the ECLW final
Polish champion challenges TTC Berlin Eastside in the 2015/16 final determined to win second trophy in a row after 2014/15 ETTU Cup After 17 years Polish city Tarnobrzeg will host the ECLW final. KTS SPAR Zamek Tarnobrzeg beat UCAM Cartagena in the semi-final (twice 3:1) and set the final clash against the current ECLW top seed and double champion TTC Berlin Eastside (2012 and 2014 winner). „Cartagena`s coach Adriana ZAMFIR had no many options before the returning semi-final leg hence she had to risk. I put a classic option because I saw that my whole team is in high disposal which later was confirmed at the table” stated Tarnobrzeg`s coach Zbigniew NĘCEK. HAN Ying did her usual job collecting four points in two games with Spanish club. „I was surprised how easily I earn points and it lulled me a little but at the end everything went as we expected” cited HAN speaking about the opener against Iulia NECULA. When LI Qian defeated Maria XIAO Polish club secured its spot in the final. Tarnobrzeg now prepares for its second ECLW final which will be held on April 29th-May 1st (first leg in Poland) and May 27-29th (returning leg in Germany). They also fought for the title in 1998/99 against multiple winner Statisztika Budapest but lost. However Anna JANUSZYK DU Jing Elena KOVTUN and Wanda LITYŃSKA-SYDORENKO went down in history playing in front of 1 700 fans at home. After that Tarnobrzeg appeared in five ETTU Cup finals winning just last one in the 2014/15.
Melissa TAPPER starting off the World Table Tennis Day festivities off in Nepal
Table Tennis for NepALL – Inauguration Ceremony Kathmandu hosts the main event of World Table Tennis Day and promotes Table Tennis among people with a disability in Nepal On April 6 Kathmandu has the honour to be the capital of the World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) celebrated by Table Tennis enthusiasts all over the world to show the public a sport able to gather all kind of people having fun while playing Table Tennis. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) chose Nepal to host the WTTD main event as it coincides with the launching of ‘Table Tennis for NepALL – Project’ a motivating sample project that aims to develop the practice of Table Tennis among people with a disability in Nepal. The same ceremony inaugurates the newly renovated Para Table Tennis Training Centre in Kathmandu (damaged by last year’s earthquake) and celebrates the International Day on Sport for Development and Peace. Table Tennis for NepALL runs for three years and is organized by ‘All Nepal Table Tennis Association’ (ANTTA) ‘Nepalese Disabled Table Tennis Association’ (NDTTA) together with International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). The United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace and the International Working Group supports the project. It will run simultaneously in Biratnagar Pokhara Nepaljung Dhangadi and two locations in Kathmandu and will provide opportunities for all persons with disabilities by empowering strengthening and integrating them in using Para Table Tennis as vehicle for a positive social change. The undertaking includes the sensitization of local coaches the improvement of accessibility for players with a disability in local community clubs and the creation of a solid network between Para Table Tennis Clubs and local organizations to develop Para Table Tennis in Nepal and train Role Models. High ranked guests confirmed their attendance like ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace Wilfried LEMKE International Working Group Co-chair of the Sport and Person with Disabilities Young Sam MA and role model Melissa TAPPER Australian player who has become the first ever Australian player to qualify for both the Olympics and Paralympics at Rio 2016. The event takes place on 6 April 2016 at 11:00 am at NDA Khagendra New Life Jorpati Training Centre Kathmandu Nepal
ITTF Signs Chinese Digital Deal with SECA
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) brokered by rights holders TMS International has agreed a partnership deal with SECA for all internet and mobile rights within Mainland China. The exclusive deal will run for four years between 2017 and 2020 and is the start of a new era of ITTF’s digital rights within China. As part of the deal both the ITTF and SECA agree to further explore opportunities in overall brand marketing local activation and new exciting initiatives for the sport. TMS International Managing Director Anders THUNSTROM stated: “TMS International is very pleased to have concluded this agreement with SECA that will have a particular emphasis to catering to the youth. I am sure SECA will be an excellent partner for TMS and ITTF in distributing World Title events in table tennis over the Internet into mobile phones and other devices”. SECA CEO and Founder LI Sheng stated: “Table tennis is known as the national sport of China with 190 million people watching the recent World Team Table Tennis Championships and there being 30 million registered table tennis players across the country. These facts combined confirms the infinite potential in the Chinese table tennis market which is shared by both SECA and the ITTF”. “It is SECA’s great honor to become one of ITTF’s Chinese partners to promote table tennis in China by presenting it as fashionable and entertaining to gain value within China. SECA will use new technologies like visual reality augmented reality and mixed reality within table tennis broadcasts to ensure it becomes more and more attractive and valuable for all stakeholders.” ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT added: “This deal with SECA is the first step of a greater partnership to grow table tennis brand. We are excited to be working with a new motivated partner and we have seen some great work SECA has been doing in several other sporting properties. We are sure they will help us to lift our sport to greater heights” Within the new deal SECA obtains the internet and mobile rights within China for the following ITTF events: World Table Tennis Championships (WTTC) Men’s World Cup Women’s World Cup World Team Cup (held every two years 2017 and 2019 only) World Junior Table Tennis Championships World Tour and World Tour Grand Finals
LIEBHERR Men’s World Cup tickets out now
From the October 1st to 3rd the LIEBHERR Men’s World Cup the one of the most important tournament after the Olympic Games and the World Table Tennis Championships will take place in the “Saarlandhalle” in Saarbrücken. Tickets are available here For more information please visit tournament website
