Development | 13 Oct 2020

April 6 is coming... Are you ready?

It feels like yesterday that we celebrated the 2020 edition of World Table Tennis Day from home. We believe, that these unique and challenging times have made us and the World Table Tennis Day movement even stronger.

On 6 April 2021, the focus will be even more on inclusiveness. So, save the date and take this opportunity of celebrating this special day to raise awareness of gender equality in your community! Because table tennis is FUN and should be shared with everybody.

World Table Tennis Day movement geographical distribution grew from year to year: In 2015, people from 70 countries and territories celebrated this special day for the very first time at small and big events, whereas in 2020 people from 171 countries and territories were already celebrating – this time mainly from home,

Even if Covid-19 is still present in some countries or territories, we will make it a blast with your help – from home, from the park, the gym, … or wherever you would like to celebrate from to make WTTD and our beloved sport even more popular, universal and inclusive.

2021 will be about Gender Equality and FEMpowerment through Table Tennis. In general, table tennis and many other sports are facing a low participation rate of women and girls. World Table Tennis Day is a perfect excuse not only to celebrate but also to attract new players to our sport. With the 2021 preparation we will provide you with useful tools about how to get more women and girls to the table and how to keep them on board on the long term. Because table tennis is fun and should be shared with everybody.

Of course, this is not the only argument: Unfortunately, girls and women constitute the largest group of disadvantaged people in the World. This is an unfair situation because all genders should have the same human rights, which has still not been achieved in many parts of the world. Therefore, we (and hopefully you, too) want to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”.

Above this, data shows a dramatic increase of violence against women and girls since the outbreak of Covid-19, in particular domestic violence. As many of them struggle to access services such as health, police, and sport facilities, you could be the person to create a safe environment for them through your WTTD celebration.

We believe that everyone is equal and that the fight for equal fundamental human rights is not only related to girls and women! Everyone – including boys and men – has to be involved! No matter which gender, age, race, religion, culture, and physical ability you are: We simply ask YOU to use your passion for table tennis and your motivation to do something good to take WTTD as a reason to raise awareness for gender equality in your community!

Be one of the empowered people to empower girls and women through table tennis. Support them! Find your way to help them develop skills and knowledge to become an equal partner and player.

Because gender equality is central to the achievement of all UN SDGs as it is not only a human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

https://www.ittffoundation.org/2021-WTTD-registration