The German Table Tennis Federation (DTTB) celebrated its 100th anniversary with a modest yet dignified gala at the German Table Tennis Centre (DTTZ) in Düsseldorf. Guests from sport, politics, and public institutions gathered to honour a century of achievements, milestones, and the people who shaped German table tennis.
Among the guests were also the ETTU top representatives, led by ETTU President Pedro MOURA and Secretary General Pierre KASS.
“As we reached the 100th anniversary of the German Table Tennis Association, we celebrate not only a century of sporting excellence, but also a federation that has profoundly shaped the identity of European and global table tennis. Germany has produced champions who have inspired generations, advanced our sport, and upheld the highest values of fair play and professionalism,” stated ETTU President MOURA. “The DTTB’s legacy is one of leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to progress, qualities that continue to strengthen table tennis across Europe. On behalf of the European Table Tennis Union, I extend my warmest congratulations and look forward to honoring this historic milestone together with the entire table tennis family.”
The choice of the DTTZ as the venue underlined the symbolism of the moment: a place where national squad players train daily, and where tradition and future naturally meet. The centre, founded in 2006, stands as a testament to performance, passion, diversity, integration, and the intergenerational spirit of the sport.
DTTB President Konrad GRILLMEYER opened the ceremony by reflecting on the long and rich history of the federation, whose founding dates back to 8 November 1925 in Berlin.
“This day allows us to look back with pride, not only on historical milestones, but above all on the people who have shaped, carried and loved this sport over generations,” President GRILLMEYER said.
Hans Wilhelm GÄB’s contribution to German table tennis spans nearly five decades. GÄB’s vision, persistence, and leadership were key to the creation of the DTTZ and to establishing professional structures that continue to underpin the federation today.
GRILLMEYER highlighted his legacy: “Hans Wilhelm GÄB was a stroke of luck for German table tennis; without his vision and dedication, our sport in Germany would look very different today.”
From organising the unforgettable 1989 World Championships in Dortmund, highlighted by the World Championship title won by Jörg ROSSKOPF and Steffen FETZNER, to shaping the federation as President, Adviser, and Honorary President, GÄB’s impact remains deeply rooted in the DTTB’s identity.
The centenary celebration revisited defining moments of German table tennis.
“This century of German table tennis is filled with breakthroughs and successes, setbacks and renewals. When the association was founded in 1925, table tennis was still a young sport: light, elegant and already fascinatingly fast. Progress came quickly. As early as 1926, the DTTB became a founding member of the ITTF. In 1929, Erika METZGER and Mona RÜSTER won Germany’s first World Championship title in women’s doubles. In 1930, Berlin hosted the first of seven World Championships to be held on German soil. The most recent edition took place in 2017, once again in Düsseldorf – another sign of the city’s strong connection to the sport.”
President GRILLMEYER also spoke about dark chapters and historical responsibility:
“The history of the association was not untouched by the difficult times Germany experienced. National Socialist persecution did not spare table tennis. The exclusion of Jewish athletes was an injustice that obliges the association to this day. Particular remembrance is given to Heinz NICKELSBURG, a leading player of his era who was ostracised and forced into emigration. His story remains a reminder to uphold fairness, openness and respect – the core values of both the sport and society.”
DTTB returned through rebuilding, European integration, and the journey back to the top.
“After the Second World War, table tennis in Germany began anew. In 1947, the first German Championships were held in Heppenheim, with future President Dr Dieter MAURITZ and Hilde BUSSMANN among the winners. In 1957, the DTTB became a founding member of the European Table Tennis Union. Players such as former World Championship bronze medallist Heinz SCHNEIDER – who represented both the DTTB and later the DTTV, the federation of the former GDR – helped Germany regain its footing internationally. They laid the groundwork for a gradual return to the world’s leading table tennis nations. A milestone came in 1966 with the establishment of the Bundesliga, giving table tennis a performance-oriented national league structure for the first time.”
Another defining figure emerged during this era: Eberhard SCHÖLER. The defensive specialist captivated audiences in the late 1960s with his unique style and earned silver at the 1969 World Championships in Munich – generating unprecedented attention for the sport. As sports director and vice president, he shaped the association for 26 years with clarity and dedication. Together with Hans Wilhelm GÄB, he laid the professional foundation that continues to support German table tennis success today.
The era of the “Golden Girls” in the late 1990s, followed by the emergence of Timo BOLL—whose achievements across Olympic Games, World and European Championships set new standards, ushered in a new era. The continuing success of German players including Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, Dang QIU, Patrick FRANZISKA, Benedikt DUDA, and the women’s team featuring Ying HAN, Sabine WINTER, Annett KAUFMANN, and Nina MITTELHAM further reinforced Germany’s status on the world stage.
Beyond elite sport, the anniversary highlighted the social dimension of table tennis. More than 540,000 members in 9,000 clubs now play under the DTTB umbrella, with numbers rising for the third consecutive year. Millions more play recreationally across schoolyards, parks, pools, and public spaces.
“Table tennis connects people, regardless of age, origin, language or religion. It creates encounters that might never happen elsewhere,” GRILLMEYER emphasised.
The DTTB reaffirmed its commitment to the values that have guided the federation for a century: fairness, openness, inclusion and respect. It also reaffirmed its love for table tennis at every level. The DTTB is the home of sport for all. The “Mini Championships” have been a perennial favourite among DTTB campaigns since 1983 and are one of the most successful membership recruitment campaigns in German sport. The “Schnuppermobil”, a van full of table tennis equipment available to hire for events ranging from club parties to town festivals has also been very well received. There are also programmes that promote table tennis as a healthy sport, as well as initiatives that encourage participation in table tennis in schools and outdoors. There are also offers specifically for girls and women, who unfortunately still represent a minority in German table tennis. The DTTB has also founded a mainly online coaches’ academy for all levels. Beyond, DTTB collaborate with the DOSB, the German Sports Youth, and the Para-Sport Federation which is in Germany an independent association in charge of players with handicaps.
President GRILLMEYER concluded with a message of collective strength:
“Our success over 100 years has never been the achievement of individuals alone. It has always been a community effort, and with this spirit, we are ready for the challenges of the next century.”
