12/15/2012       

A quite staggering sum of $1,000,000 is to be made available annually for continents affiliated to the International Table Tennis Federation for development in the next four years, the period from 2013 to 2016.

The sum represents a 30 per cent increase; the financial breakdown was agreed earlier in the year at the Liebherr World Team Championships in the German city of Dortmund.

Now, on Friday 14th December 2012 at the Volkswagen World Junior Championships, in the Indian city of Hyderabad, matters were finalised at the Development and Continental Council Meeting.

Signed on Dotted Line
Africa, Latin America, North America and Oceania all duly signed on the dotted line, with Adham Sharara,, President of the International Table Tennis Federation adding signature to conclude the agreements.

Asia and Europe will follow in the near future.

Detailed Planning
Led by Glenn Tepper, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the International Table Tennis Federation and the Executive Director for Development, intense negotiations have taken place in recent months, with representatives from each continent, to tailor the best possible needs for each region.

In 2013, the ITTF Development Programme enters its 15th year and is a far cry from the tentative initial steps in 1999 when the number of courses per annum could be counted on one hand; now the legs of a centipede are not sufficient.

Bearing Fruit
Furthermore the extensive courses that have been organised are now bearing fruit in international competition.

Throughout the history of table tennis, first the continent of Europe ruled the roost, later came Asia.

There was a brief interjection by North America in the 1930s but over the years. the major titles in the sport have been secured by Asia and Europe.

Gap Closing
Olympic and World titles for those from continents other than Asia and Europe may be still somewhat distant but sport is unpredictable by its very nature and watching matters unfold at the current Volkswagen World Junior Championships, the gap is closing.

The continents of Africa, Latin America, North America and Oceania, in many instances where development has been the main focus in the past decade, are gaining ground; the basis of the progress is very much the ITTF Development Programme.

Hosting Tournaments
Equally, the major tournaments of the World have always been held in Asia and Europe.

However, with the ITTF Global Junior Programme, linked inextricably to the ITTF Development Programme, national associations who previously would not consider such ventures, some small in size, have the opportunity to host world title events.

Creating Opportunities
There is progress, it is being made because opportunities have been created and continue to be created.

It is the result of innovation, forward thinking and detailed planning, the effect of the ITTF Development Programme.



The African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) Signed the Agreement

Khaled El-Salhy, ATTF President, met Adham Sharara (right) to sign the accord
Photo by Rémy Gros

Oswaldo Borges, LATTU President, all smiles with Adham Sharara (right) in Hyderabad
Photo by Rémy Gros

Mike Cavanaugh, NATTU President, looking ahead to a prosperous four years with Adham Sharara (right)
Photo by Rémy Gros

Patrick Gillman, OTTF President, thanks Adham Sharara (right) for the close co-operation
Photo by Rémy Gros