08/19/2012        2012 Korean Junior & Cadet Open - ITTF Premium Junior Circuit

Olympic and World champions; Korea has a tradition of excellence in the sport of table tennis, a tradition made possible thanks to establishing a wide base of young talent and honing that talent to technical perfection.

Responsible for that base is the Korean Junior Table Tennis Association. It is an organization which celebrates half a century of existence in 2012 and coincides with a decade of activities organized by the ever growing and ever flourishing ITTF Global Junior Programme.

In order to mark the occasion; powered by Joola, a challenge match between an ITTF With the Future in Mind Team and the Korean Junior Table Tennis Association will be staged on Monday 27th August 2012.

Venue
The match will be staged in the city of Daejeon and forms part an extensive and detailed programme.

Schedule
Arrival date is Monday 20th August 2012; once checked in the action begins.

A six day Training Camp under the direction of Sweden’s Peter Karlsson commences on Tuesday 21st August and concludes on Sunday 26th August, with the Challenge Match following immediately.

The Korean Junior and Cadet Open, the 20th stop on this year’s ITTF Junior Circuit, following starts on Tuesday 28th August and concludes on Saturday 1st September.

Outstanding Hospitality
“Both myself and Raul Calin, the Global Junior Programme Director, have enjoyed friendly hospitality during our visits to Korea and also held many interesting discussions with the Korean Junior Table Tennis Association”, said Mikael Andersson, the ITTF Executive Director- Teaching and Training. “The camp and the whole activity springs from the fountain of fruitful co-operation and the understanding of solidarity in sport; excellent conditions have been organized to stage the event.”

A mouth watering programme is in place.

Delighted with Response
“We are thrilled, first of all, with the general interest from the participating associations”, continued Mikael Andersson. “I think the combination of a Peter Karlsson led training camp, with full support from our Korean counterparts plus the outstanding challenge that the Korean Junior Open is all about will develop into a fantastic learning experience for the selected players and their coaches.”

Unquestionably that will be the situation for a truly global group of young players and coaches.

“The group of ITTF players features a selection from all six continents”, stressed Mikael Andersson. “That in itself, is a result of the work done over the years in the ITTF development sector.”

Fruits of Labour Realised
Standards are rising with continental federations and national associations becoming more motivated as results of ten years of the Global Junior Programme realize increasing fruits.

“All of these young players are committed to excellence”, added Mikael Andersson. “I am extremely encouraged by the fact that we have been able to successfully engage national associations step by step, by helping them to identify talent and establish a certain international ambition to drive forward on the international scene; whilst also offering outstanding competitive opportunities to excel in our sport.”

First Class Support
Co-operation is the key to success as is support; items Mikael Andersson accepted he had received in abundance.

“The ITTF Global Junior Programme is, after ten years, alive and well; largely thanks to the outstanding and hard-nosed grind by Raul Calin”, enthused Mikael Andersson. “He is an outstanding driver of the bus and really sets the tone when it comes to organizing our events on the highest level.”

Joola Official Clothing Supplier
Support from Raul Calin in his role of the Global Junior Programme Director and also from the German manufacturer Joola.

“Full credit to Joola for stepping in as the official clothing partner for the match”, said Mikael Andersson. “They have over the years been a valuable partner for the ITTF Global Junior Programme; always delivering excellent playing equipment for the ITTF World Junior Championships in addition to the ITTF Junior Circuit Finals and ITTF Cadet Challenge .

Selected Players
The players selected for the ITTF With the Future in Mind Team are:

Junior Boys: Hugo Calderano (Brazil), Robin Devos (Belgium), Seyed Pourya Omrani (Iran), Olo Onaolapo (Nigeria),

Junior Girls: Carelyn Cordero (Puerto Rico), Nicole Trosman (Israel)

Cadet Boys: Brian Afanador (Puerto Rico), Anton Kallberg (Sweden)

Cadet Girls: Andreea Clapa (Romania), Sara Tan (Australia)

In addition two places are offered to each of Brazil, Denmark and Puerto Rico to join the Training Camp.

Download Sport Specific Information
ITTF With The Future in Mind Team: Sport Specific Information