European Veterans Championships | 13 May 2023

Borre REITE: Do not miss out on the magic

As the European Veterans Championships in Sandefjord, Norway is getting closer, we talked with Event Director, Mr. Karl Borre REITE about coordinating the tournament.

Mr. Reite, when ETTU awarded Norway the European Veterans Championships 2023, The Norwegian Table Tennis Association appointed you as Event Director. How have the last 12 months been for you?

"Fun and hectic! We have a small but competent group working with the event, taking care of the different areas in the organization. My day is normally filled with everything from A to Z, from making big decisions to the more administrative side of event planning. I am learning something new every day – just the way life should be!"

You have been involved in table tennis for quite a while now, at both the club and national association level, as well as being an umpire on the main stage for ETTU and ITTF, for example during the World Championship finals. Is there anything else we need to know about you?

"Well, I wasn’t born into the sport. My background is in music and culture, in both performance and organizing. When my kids started playing, I kind of naturally got involved in table tennis, both at the local club and as an umpire. I guess I like being involved, and I am learning new stuff all the time."

You gave us an hour for the interview. You have been quite busy with planning for some time now. Do you feel everything is under control?

"The correct answer in the event business is always «yes - and no»! We absolutely feel that we are in control of the main aspects of delivering a great championship. But then you have all the small things, the details and the icing on the cake that you really can’t be in control of before it happens."

The European Veterans Championships are being held in Norway for the first time, in scenic surroundings near Sandefjord. It has been promoted as «One Village - One Venue».

"For the first time in EVC-history the playing halls, accommodation, restaurants, entertainment, activities, beach and everything else will be at the same resort! When you wake up, you will have to take only a few steps to your matches. You can sleep in, join the party, or relax on your balcony or by the beach. Nearly all of the participants will stay at Oslofjord Convention Center, making this a buzzing Table Tennis Town for the whole week. I know that a few groups are thinking of staying outside of Oslofjord but I would urge them to reconsider. If you don’t stay at our Table Tennis Town, you will miss out on the magic!"

Norway is not exactly considered a low-cost country. Will the «One Village – One Venue» reduce costs for the participants?

-First, Norway is coming with a discount these days! The value of the Norwegian Krone is at an all-time low just now compared to the Euro, GBP and even the Danish Krone. Even if you are not coming to EVC, you should consider Norway for your vacation! Paying in NOK will save you around 15 percent on your stay. When it comes to Oslofjord Convention Center, we are happy to say that the prices have not been adjusted for inflation in the last year! At the resort breakfast, lunch and dinner is included in the price. You don’t need to spend time and money on transport. When you calculate what you would spend in one of the cities, it’s obvious that the best option is to stay together with all the others at Oslofjord.

Approximately 2000 participants and 500 guests will arrive to Sandefjord and Oslofjord Convention Center. What will they experience at the venue other than table tennis?

The goal for us has been to create a Table Tennis Town at Oslofjord. Of course, the infrastructure will help us a lot, having the beach and golf course within walking distance, and the balconies where we think a lot of the guests will their time. There will be social events with music and entertainment every night. Players can join in and show off their music skills on our «Open Stage». On Thursday there will be several interesting talks on table tennis and politics. It will be possible to do boat trips, rent bicycles and much more. And, of course, all the restaurants, pubs and clubs at the resort will be open. And most importantly, all your friends will be here!

As always, Wednesday is a day off at the championships. What do you recommend for visitors who have never been to Norway to do that day?

"At www.evc2023.com you can book a nice tour of the area around the Oslo Fjord. This includes a boat trip from Sandefjord to Sweden, and a bus tour back, stopping at the old fortress town of Halden. This is a classic «Sandefjord experience». If you want to go on your own, I recommend a visit to Tønsberg, a city nearby, or a day trip to Oslo. And of course, you should spend some time before or after the event and experience more of Norway! On the resort, we even have activities such as the Social Mixed Doubles. For those who speak a Scandinavian language, there will be a public health seminar focusing on how table tennis can improve public health, as well as be used as a tool against neurological disorders."

The venue is not located in the downtown area of the city. What are the transport solutions for the visitors?

"We have a bus from the main airports bringing to the Oslofjord Convention Center. You can book this on our webpage. If you want to spend some time outside of the resort, it will be possible to go to Tønsberg by taking the frequent public bus just up the road. In Tønsberg you will find a nice sea front with restaurants, shopping and sightseeing, including a Viking ship and a small castle. When the bus brings you back to Oslofjord, the event pub will still be open! "

This is the biggest table tennis tournament ever in Vestfold and Telemark. Will the locals know about this, and do you have any plans to include them?

"There will be activities in the cities and at the shopping centers to promote the event and the local clubs. However, the most important impact will be competence building locally. We have a lot of volunteers from the local clubs who we hope will learn skills and get inspired by the event. We hope that the clubs in the area will use this opportunity to learn how to stage regional and national events in the future. I should also mention our «Play for Life» legacy program, where we have placed table tennis tables at schools, in hospitals and in parks all over the area of Vestfold and Telemark."

Among 200 volunteers will help out before, during, and after the championships. Has it been a challenge to find enough people for all the different aspects of the event?

"It has not been too difficult. We have a core group of veterans who are always willing to give a helping hand, and some newer faces from the table tennis community. We even have a good collaboration with Sweden, and we have recruited some international volunteers. Volunteering is a strong tradition in Norway. In the transport department we have a group that «do transport» on different events, e.g. the Holmenkollen Ski festival every year. Our only regret is that we have not been able to recruit as many young volunteers as we wanted. We will have to look into what we need to do differently and try to do better next time!"

Finally, the European Veterans Championships are less than two months away. Are you certain this will be a success?

"Of course! We are really looking forward to seeing you all at Oslofjord Convention Center!"

 

Interviewed by Kevin JOHANSEN, M.A. Mr. Johansen will soon be publishing a book on Norwegian Table Tennis history.