A double celebration was held on Friday at Hungary’s Statisztika. Dr. László ORMAI the president of the legendary team was greeted on his 88th birthday and the inscription on the facade of the hall named after him was also handed over.
“It is a great honor even if the person does not work for the honor but because can find happiness in it and in fact table tennis have caused me happiness in my whole life ” said László ORMAI at the inauguration. “From the moment I started it and every minute since 1954 has been a joy even if I may have felt bitterness sometimes after a lost game but fortunately it has rarely been the case for me in the past sixty – or more – years. Feels so good recalling the memory of how many of the children who started here at the age of seven or eight have also retired from here while enjoying many successes under the Hungarian flag. We never wanted the glory for ourselves but for the country.”
Even at age of 88 the master coach goes to the sports hall named after him every day he also goes to trainings and competitions while keeping track of the daily events. He hopes to continue doing so for a few more years.
The facility which is managed by the National Sports Centers has been renewed from the NSC’s investment – about 300 million forints. The association will spend an additional 120 million on various interior improvements to the hall (the replacement of lighting system renovation of showers and toilets and the renewal of changing and bedrooms).
“The exterior renovation phase is over after which we could finally place the plaque with the inscription writing László ORMAI Table Tennis Hall ” said Roland NÁTRÁN president of the Hungarian Table Tennis Association who also informed us about the fact that as part of the renovation the building got an external insulation the doors and windows have been changed and a new energetic system have been set up.
“The critical attitude is an important part of the path to success ’ continued the president of the Hungarian Table Tennis Association. “Uncle Laci was constantly watching closely the development of the players the work of the coaches and the work of the association and also the President of the association. For my part I strive to bring this critical approach to the service of results. As part of this we agreed with Laszlo Ormai to focus on the future. A part of this is finding a legal and professional form by setting up a joint professional workshop that maintains the values of Statisztika. The other part is the infrastructure itself where this professional work can be carried out.”
