by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Recently, Seamaster has discussed sponsorship opportunities around specific ports where they conduct a great deal of business; thus the two events in Latin America fit perfectly, both Santiago and São Paulo being port cities and successful hubs for the shipping company.
“The ITTF is happy that we could extend our ITTF World Tour partnership with Seamaster to these two ITTF Challenge Series events in Latin America. Latin America is a big growth area for the ITTF, so this additional sponsorship money will assist the events to promote the sport more in the respective countries and regions”, Thomas Weikert, ITTF President
“Over the years, Seamaster has had great iron ore business in Brazil and Chile. This made the decision to sponsor the Brazil and Chile Opens very easy for Seamaster, as it is a perfect way for Seamaster to promote its brand further in these two countries and Latin America”, Frank Ji, Chair of Seamaster
“I am very happy to have Seamaster as the sponsor for the 2017 Brazil Open. After some years, we are organizing this event again and to have this important partner as sponsor, it motivates us to organize it at a high level. Of course, all Brazilian fans, after the great success of Rio 2016 Olympic Games, will attend the tournament in São Paulo. Another factor of success is that most the best players in Brazil live in this city; that will contribute to having a good public present. Also, our best player Hugo Calderano, who improved a great deal after Rio, certainly will attract good media and public attention”, Alaor Azevedo, President Brazilian Table Tennis Confederation
“After a very successful Olympic Games in Latin America, the profile of table tennis has risen in Chile. We will be using the Chile Open to maximize this interest; the extra injection of money from Seamaster will enable more extensive promotion. We are looking forward to working with Seamaster to use the Chile Open as a catalyst for the growth of table tennis in Chile and the rest of Latin America”, Henry Reimberg, President Chilean Chile Table Tennis Federation.