The STAG European Veterans Championships officially began with the Opening Ceremony which took place in the Main Hall of the Rimini Fair. There are more than 3000 players in Rimini.
The director of the event Giuseppe MARINO welcomed the players and all the participants in the event:
“The Italian Table Tennis Federation and all of us of the Organizing Committee are particularly excited after a year of intense work to welcome you to our beautiful Italy to the biggest table tennis tournament of 2022. We have done everything possible to try to make your participation in the STAG European Veterans Championships unforgettable hoping it will find a place of honor in your best memories book. Remember the championship slogan “Enjoy your play enjoy your stay” .
The parade of flags of the 42 participating countries was held on the notes of the Inno alla Gioia and the acting president of the European Table Tennis Union Pedro MOURA spoke: “Dear friends it is a pleasure for me to see you at this ceremony of the European Veterans Championships. This event and these fantastic athletes are the best example of table tennis in Europe. You are all proof of how we can continue to love our sport at all ages. After three years of great difficulties the three thousand players who are present here in Rimini are an incredible number. And we warmly welcome our first ever para competition at the Veterans Championships. I wish the championships the success they deserve and I declare them officially open”.
The President of the International Table Tennis Federation Petra Sörling expressed her greetings: “Friends of table tennis how are you? We are a big family and I am really happy to see you so many here in Rimini despite the difficulties of the moment we are living to experience all together the emotions that only our sport can offer. I thank the Organizing Committee the referees the volunteers and all those who made all this possible in a wonderful city like Rimini which will certainly make this event even more special”.
The two longest-lived European athletes and the two Italians were awarded. The plaques were received by 94-year-old Belgian Jozef JANSENS from ETTU acting president Pedro MOURA 94-year-old Czech Eliska KREJCOVA from ITTF president Petra SÖRLING 89-year-old Italo Bolther from ITTF Foundation member Stefano BOSI and 73-year-old Rita POGOSOVA from president of the Veterans Commission of the ETTU Zdenko KRIZ.
The Italian National Anthem was performed by the “Appassionante” recognized as the first female opera-pop musical group in the world with a long career at an international level. Giorgia Mara and Stefania who form the trio were back on the stage alternating their vocal virtuosity with dance shows with music from Romagna and performances by the Rhythmic section of the Italian Gymnastics Federation. All in the name of Italianisms and territoriality. Today is the time to compete and everyone will play to win but also to have fun.
