Serbian Minister of Sports Zoran GAJIĆ hosted a reception for ETTU President Pedro MOURA, and a delegation from the Serbian Table Tennis Association (STSS) on the occasion of the European Veterans Table Tennis Championships, which will take place from June 15 to June 22 at the Novi Sad Fair. Novi Sad is also the candidate for the 2026 City of Sport.
This tournament is the largest sporting event in Serbia since the Universiade in Belgrade, bringing together over 5,000 competitors and guests. The event will be held in two large halls, featuring 150 table tennis tables across a total area of approximately 10,000 square meters, with an additional 100,000 square meters of open space dedicated to cultural and hospitality activities.
The meeting was attended by State Secretary Ratko NIKOLIĆ, Assistant Minister for International Cooperation and European Integration, Chief of Staff Jovan KNEŽEVIĆ, as well as STSS President Predrag NIČIĆ, STSS Director Marko JEVTOVIĆ, STSS Vice President Vladimir ŠIŠKA, Championship Director Dane FRACILE, and STSS Executive Board Member Dušan CVEJIĆ.
ETTU President Pedro Moura expressed his delight at visiting Belgrade and his full support for this prestigious competition.
“This is my second visit to Belgrade, following the 2022 European Junior Championships. I am well aware of how much people here love sports, and that makes me feel at home. I came to present to Minister GAJIĆ what awaits us and to offer my full support to the new STSS leadership. It is already clear that the minister is well informed about all preparation phases, for which I am very grateful,” said Pedro MOURA.
Minister GAJIĆ shared his personal connection to the sport, revealing that before his successful volleyball career, his first sporting steps were actually taken at a table tennis table in Senta, Čoka, and Pančevo.
“Regardless of the results, table tennis has always held an important place in Serbian sports. Novi Sad and SPENS have a rich table tennis history, and I would like to remind everyone that SPENS was built specifically for the 1984 World Championships. With the 1974 European Championships and many other major events, this sport has deep roots in our country. The people currently leading table tennis in Serbia give me full confidence that, as a ministry, we should support the organization of this event. We are fully available to provide any kind of assistance,” said Minister Zoran GAJIĆ.
The European Veterans Championships will have a maximum of 3,360 participants, divided into 11 age categories ranging from 40-44 years to 90+. Three months before the start of the competition, around 2,700 players have already registered from nearly every European country, with many bringing family members, adding significant tourism value to the event.
Recently, the Serbian Table Tennis Association (STSS) underwent a leadership change, with Predrag NIČIĆ now at the helm.
“The leadership change occurred due to shortcomings in the work of the previous management. Clubs were uncertain whether the previous team could successfully organize such a major event. We have now taken over all championship sectors, and the preparations are progressing at a satisfactory pace,” explained STSS President Predrag NIČIĆ.
All attendees expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Sports for its support. Championship Director Dane FRACILE highlighted the long-term benefits of this assistance:
“The Ministry has provided significant support, and we are thrilled that not only this competition but also the Serbian Table Tennis Association and its athletes will benefit from it. After the championship, we will retain 150 tables, nearly 10,000 square meters of Taraflex flooring, and a new climate control system for the Novi Sad Fair,” stated Dane FRACILE.
