Austrian Table Tennis Association has elected a new President. Mr. Hans FRIEDINGER former Vice-President for Top Sports was elected unanimously at the General Meeting for a period of two years. President FRIEDINGER has been President of the Upper Austri
Austrian Table Tennis Association has elected a new President. Mr. Hans FRIEDINGER former Vice-President for Top Sports was elected unanimously at the General Meeting for a period of two years.
President FRIEDINGER has been President of the Upper Austrian Table Tennis Association for more than two decades and he was officiating as Austrian Sports Director for 14 years. In 2009 he has been elected “Official of the Year” out of all Austrian sports officials “As official I am proud to have joined the career of our World Champion 2003 Werner SCHLAGER. For more than 50 years I am an active player at present of course on a modest level ” added President FRIEDINGER.
In the interview for the ETTU web site newly elected president revealed his future plans. “Austria is a small country with a long table tennis tradition. At present the international performance of our players is fine and our internal structure is still improving ” stated President FRIEDINGER.
President FRIEDINGER spoke about the programs. “We will certainly increase international training activities. We are lucky to have the Werner SCHLAGER Academy as a privileged tool but will still try to participate in training camps in China and other countries and will also try to enhance partnerships with some competitive associations.”
– What will be the main focus in your work in next period and can you introduce us with most important points in your presidential program?
“I have been Sports Director of our association for a long time and as a consequence I am still very much interested in top sports. Key words of my activity will be “Dynamic Development” “Professionalism” “Active Engagement and Commitment” as well as “Representation”.
– What is your main goal in this Olympic cycle?
“A clear and short answer – the first Olympic medal of an Austrian table tennis player.”
– Who will be the key players for next period in Austrian national team?
“Our top players Robert GARDOS Daniel HABESOHN Stefan FEGERL LIU Jia Amelie SOLJA and Sofia POLCANOVA are already challenged by our promising youngsters”.
– What is your opinion about the situation in European table tennis regarding the expansion of Asian sport?
“We have to admit reality. On medium-term we are forced to develop strategies for bringing up more and stronger native European players. I am convinced that the only way to improve our sport in Europe significantly is to have more joint high-quality training camps – starting already at young age categories. So this way of co-operation is seriously needed.”
