The inaugural Stone Racket of Istria Veterans’ Tournament will be held in Vrsar from March 5 to 9, offering a unique event for players aged 40 and older. Organized by the Maistra Hospitality Group in collaboration with the Vrsar Tourist Board, the Municipality of Vrsar, Grand Tour agency, and TTC Vrsar, the tournament aims to promote table tennis and show the beauty of the Istrian region while providing participants with an engaging program beyond the competitive matches.
A major highlight of the event will be an exhibition match featuring table tennis legends, ETTU Vice President Zoran PRIMORAC of Croatia and Jörgen PERSSON of Sweden. Both players, who dominated the sport during their careers and have collectively won over 60 medals at major competitions, are excited to reunite in Vrsar.
“This is a commendable initiative by Maistra to promote table tennis in such a special way,” said PRIMORAC. “When I invited Jörgen, he was delighted and immediately accepted. He fell in love with Vrsar and Istria during his training camp here before the Paris Olympics. He was amazed by the place and its conditions.”
PERSSON’S connection to Vrsar is unsurprising, given the region’s renowned hospitality and breathtaking landscapes.
“I’m personally looking forward to the reunion,” PRIMORAC added. “Jörgen is one of the greatest players of all time – a World and European champion, my friend, and a fierce competitor during our careers. Playing against him will be a pleasure, and we aim to entertain the audience and our fellow veterans. Of course, people shouldn’t expect a replay of the Olympic quarterfinals in Beijing, haha, but I promise it will be great fun.”
PRIMORAC also emphasized PERSSON’S exceptional career achievements, noting his status as a seven-time Olympian and one of Sweden’s most decorated athletes. Both legends remain active in the sport, with PRIMORAC serving as President of the Croatian Table Tennis Association and PERSSON recently coaching the Swedish national team.
“Physically, I might be in slightly better shape, but Jörgen has been more involved in the game as a coach of the Swedish national team. Still, we Croatians are masters of improvisation – I’ll try to outsmart him, haha,” joked PRIMORAC. “The important thing is to have fun, create an enjoyable spectacle, and promote the tournament, Istria, and Croatia. I hope this tournament becomes a tradition.”
The event promises a memorable experience for spectators, offering the chance to witness two icons of the sport in action. For more information, visit www.stoneracketistria.com or follow the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stoneracketistria.
