Other Events | 22 Nov 2018
Seamaster joins aboard brand new ITTF Challenge Series!
Photo: ITTF
Exciting times are ahead for the ITTF Challenge Series in 2019 and Seamaster will be an integral part of it all after agreeing to become title sponsor of the revamped competition.
The two-year deal means that Seamaster is expanding its involvement in professional table tennis, as the International Shipping Business Company already sponsors the ITTF World Tour. They now join DHS (official ball sponsor) as an ITTF Challenge Series partner until 2020.
The news arrives as the latest confirmation of how the ITTF Challenge Series – one of table tennis' fastest-growing competitions – is set to make a significant impact in the sport starting next year.
Introduced in 2017 to give extra opportunities for upcoming players to challenge themselves and earn international recognition and experience, from 2019 the tournament will be split into two tiers: ITTF Challenge Plus and ITTF Challenge.
The brand new ITTF Challenge Plus series – consisting of six events per year – will offer players higher world ranking points, increased prize money and, most importantly, greater exposure to elite table tennis competition, enabling them to raise their game and reach the next level in their careers.
Furthermore, the more flexible requirements of the ITTF Challenge Series will allow a higher number of cities to get on board and stage an international table tennis event.
"As table tennis continues to enjoy significant growth around the world, Seamaster is very proud and excited to be strengthening its connection with the sport by sponsoring the ITTF Challenge Series," said Frank JI, Seamaster Chairman
"DHS will continue to provide table tennis balls and other equipment for the expanded ITTF Challenge Series. We believe that the high quality and consistent performance of the balls will contribute significantly to furthering innovation in table tennis technology," added LOU Shihe, DHS General Manager
"2019 is set to be a ground-breaking year for table tennis with the ITTF Challenge Series offering unprecedented opportunities to players, host organisers and naturally sponsors too, so we are delighted that Seamaster is joining us on this exciting new venture," said Matthew POUND, ITTF Marketing Director.
Seamaster is a leading International Shipping Business Company based in Shanghai, China. Seamaster is a strategic ITTF partner, currently sponsoring the 2017-2020 World Tour.
Shanghai Double Happiness (DHS) is a table tennis equipment manufacturer based in Shanghai, China. Among other events, DHS currently provides the official ball to the 2017-2020 World Tour, 2017-2020 World Cups, 2018 Youth Olympic Games and 2020 Olympic Games.
