With the very inspiring opening ceremony STAG 2017 European Under 21 Championships officially started in Russia’s City of Sochi.
As a host Alexander BABAKOV president of TTFR welcomed the guests in the Olympic town.
“We are very proud that inaugural European Under 21 Championships was brought here in Russia. Sochi is absolutely the right place to host such an event and we are thankful for opportunity to bring the best young players from all over the Europe here. The venue is magnificent and I am sure that athletes will enjoy it. The city has already proven that it can organize big events at the highest level and I`m sure that this Championships will not be an exception. It is a very big step for the whole sport and table tennis in particular in our country. And it is my pleasure to already congratulate all participants at this tournament.”
Everyone awaited the start of the Championships with curiosity but the inaugural competition showed that there was no need to worry. The list of top players is almost complete.
“I want to thank the Russian Table Tennis Federation for taking up the glove and organising the very first European Under 21 Championships. All the organizing committee deserves great applause for their hard work. It is necessary to bridge the gap between seniors and juniors and necessary to take the step to introduce the Under 21 event ” said ETTU President Ronald KRAMER before he declared the event open.
