Although the local ping-pong players were already practicing in it in February the official inauguration of the new table tennis hall in Szombathely took place on 4 November.
“We have longed for such a hall for a long time. As a club who also deals with youth education we have always struggled with a lack of space previously there were five or six tables that we always had to pack now there are eleven tables here all the time. Our opportunities have become much better we can put our work on a new footing” said Tibor SZARKA the president of SZAK which he founded 26 years ago about the significance of their new home.
In addition to table tennis the room can also accommodate other events but the primary goal is beside the everyday use to organize training camps and smaller competitions within its walls. Besides competitive sports there is also space and time for local amateur players who practice at these tables after half past 5pm.
“We need to emphasize continuity as this facility is a love child of the previous city administration they dreamed about this hall they created it I just had to hand it over” explained dr. Attila HORVÁTH Deputy Mayor. “But I have a more difficult task as well as I have to make sure it stays in this state and that we can fill it with life. In a few years I would like to see that we have taken care of the building and that there is no free space because it is filled with children and adults families even.”
The former industrial hall has been turned into gyms and offices as well as a club room and a lounge.
According to Kristóf LAJTAI the people of Szombathely deserved the best to be able to hit the ball in a worthy environment.
“If I think back to what kind of team we had in Szombathely to what efforts were made by them in terms of the organization of competitions and professional work then we can say that this sport has now a home in this hall” said the Secretary General of MOATSZ. “The role of the western citadel which this city has already been playing within this sport has been strengthened. We hope that this hall can make a significant contribution to the further improvement of professional work the expansion of the base of young players and the promotion of the sport.”
It is no coincidence that the inauguration ceremony took place now as the traditional international youth tournament will start in the city on this Thursday. The fights for the titles formerly took place at 22 tables in the Arena Savaria but this year because of the smaller number of entries it is not necessary. The 8th edition of the competition will thus take place in the new hall on six tables between the Czech and Hungarians players.
