by Dora Jeler, High Performance and Development Operations Manager

Following the 2019 ITTF World Hopes Week and Challenge in Salalah, Oman; based on specific criteria, the coaching team evaluated the players to determine who would be given the opportunity to continue on the Hopes pathway.

The expansion of the Hopes Pathway means that eight players per gender will be afforded the opportunity to attend further activities as members of the Hopes Squad. Performance in training and competition will determine the selection of the Hopes Team for the 2020 ITTF World Cadet Challenge.

Selection of the Hopes Squad and the Hopes Team is based on excellence and development, reflecting the basic principles of the ITTF Hopes Programme.

The 2019 Hopes Squad

Girls:

1. GODA Hana (EGY – Africa)
2. MEI ROSU Bianca (ROU – Europe)
3. GAINTANTZI Lemonia (GRE – Europe)
4. PANDA Sayani (IND – Asia)
5. GAN Ai Lis (MAS – Asia)
6. HORCHART Léana (FRA – Europe)
7. MUNOZ Shary (DOM – Latin America)
8. SOURI Tara (IRI – Asia)

Boys:

1. KURMANGALIYEV Alan (KAZ – Asia)
2. OPREA Luca (ROU – Europe)
3. OKAMLAWON Usman Ishola (NGR – Africa)
4. TRAN Daniel (USA – North America)
5. SHUTOV Nikon (BLR – Europe)
6. TAN Nicholas (SGP – Asia)
7. GHOSH Oishik (IND – Asia)
8. BAE Won (AUS – Oceania)

Hopes Team

After the first year of the Hopes Programme 2.0, we can look back on a successful 12 months; last year’s World Hopes players were given the opportunity to be selected for the 2019 Hopes Team.

ITTF High Performance evaluated the players and invited those ranked no.1 to no.8 on the final standings at last year’s ITTF World Hopes Week and Challenge to a selection camp in Shanghai, China. Selection was based on training and competition performance at several activities throughout the season.

The following players will participate and represent the Hopes Programme at the 2019 ITTF World Cadet Challenge*:

Girls:
EARLEY Sophie (IRL) – EUROPE
LEE Xin Ni (MAS) – ASIA
SER Lin Qian (SGP) – ASIA
TAN Emily (USA) – NORTH AMERICA
Reserve:
SAINI Suhana (IND) – ASIA

Boys:
BERZOSA Daniel (ESP) – EUROPE
CHIRITA Iulian (ROU) – EUROPE
QUEK Yong Izaac (SGP) – ASIA
GUBRAN Ebrahim (YEM) – ASIA
Reserve:
IZUKA Leonardo (BRA) – LATIN AMERICA

*Selection for the Continental team for the ITTF World Cadet Challenge takes precedence, any of the above players who are selected for their continental team will be released and replaced. Following her successful run at the 2019 African Junior and Cadet Championships, winning the cadet girls’ singles title, Hana Goda has for this reason not been considered for the Hopes Team selection.

ITTF Hopes Programme: Directives 2.0