Honorary Member of ETTU and DTTB Dieter STEFFEN returned this year to his second “home” European Youth Championships. Due the health related issues he was absent for a while but he decided to put his body to the test and join the caravan in Italy. Die
Honorary Member of ETTU and DTTB Dieter STEFFEN returned this year to his second “home” European Youth Championships. Due the health related issues he was absent for a while but he decided to put his body to the test and join the caravan in Italy. Dieter STEFFEN is deeply involved in table tennis especially in youth sport since 1962. He is Chairman of TTC Mennighueffen. Since 1979 until 2001 he was chairman of the German TT Youth Committee and a member of the Board of the German TTA. In 2001 he was appointed Honorary Member of DTTB; in 1993 appointed member of the ETTU Youth Committee and from that time until 2003 Deputy Chairman of this body. From 2003 until 2010 he was Chairman of ETTU Youth Committee.
“I went through chemotherapy and now I am back. When I saw European Youth Championships would be held in Riva del Garda I was delightful. I could not miss such great opportunity to combine watching our youngsters see old colleagues with possibility to visit such wonderful place. I am very happy to meet Deputy Chairman Anton HAMRAN Ranking committee Chair Igor HELLER….and many other officials in ETTU ” said STEFFEN.
His work is not only his passion but also his “second life”. “I dedicated my life to two things: table tennis and youngsters. I am teacher also“ added Mr STEFFEN. “This is something that keeps me going.”
Being involved in table tennis for so long it is easy for Dieter STEFFEN to draw the parallel with the past. “Now almost every association works professionally with the children. Also we have 46 nations here which speak of importance of the event. Everybody wants to be at European Youth Championships. It is essential in order to follow the progress of our talents. It is important to see the level of play and compare it with the strong teams such as German or French…Also the organization reached higher level…we have progress on each segment.”
And what about German team? “I was not involved very much in recent past but for sure Nina MITTELHAM is great talent. Germany also has good team in boys category. Last time when I was involved Patrick FRANZISKA won the title in Istanbul and I am proud of BOLL’s OVTCHAROV’s and BAUM’S achievements since I followed them from young age. In Italy I have not chance to see many matches but everyone knows Monday is the day when the real battles starts. I am looking forward good games ” stated Dieter STEFFEN.
