The ITTF Pro Tour has seen record-breaking participation levels forcing us to establish entry limits for Pro Tour events. The ITTF Junior Circuit is expanding at a dizzying rate. We also had record participation at both our World Championships in Bremen (Team) and in Cairo (Juniors).
I am extremely pleased that we were able to have record-breaking TV audiences for our events raising the exposure value to our sponsors. Regarding sponsors, TMS International has generated in 2006 the highest ever marketing and TV income for the ITTF. There is also another record that may be seen as a negative, but actually reflects the very high level of activity; 2006 will be the highest year in terms of expenses for the ITTF. Fortunately this is balanced by record income.
We have moved forward on many fronts. Our Women’s Programme is thriving with many exciting and fresh ideas; our Umpires and Referees programme has set new goals and targets that are being achieved according to plan; our web-sites are getting record breaking hits and visits; our “on-line” services are increasing and improving, such as “Pro Tour entries on-line”, “live scoring”, “WTTC entries on-line”, etc. It is a pleasure to see all committees and commissions as active as ever and moving our sport forward. All this is achieved through a special synergy between the elected volunteers and the professional staff working together in a decentralized but successful operational model.
As President of the ITTF, I am very happy to see the level of dedication that all volunteers and professionals at the national and international levels have demonstrated in 2006. The year ended with a bang! First, I was impressed with the high level of play at the World Junior Championships in Cairo, Egypt. But I was even more impressed with the kindness, generosity and availability of the volunteers and professionals running the event. A total cohesion between ITTF staff and the local organizers, coupled with energetic, willing and very helpful volunteers, made the Cairo experience one never to forget. On the other side of the World, in Hong Kong, we had one of the highest levels of table tennis prowess displayed by our sport’s best at the Volkswagen Pro Tour Finals. Mind-boggling rallies, defying the rules of physics, were the order of the day in both the women’s and men’s matches- a really amazing level of play. On the day of the finals, with a full house of spectators, we were treated to the most amazing magical display of table tennis excellence. The 11-point games, the 40mm ball and the open service have found their home. The players and the coaches are fully adapted and are making an incredible effort in raising the standards of play.
On the long flight home from Hong Kong, completing a full circle of the World, I was feeling very proud to be the President of the ITTF. I could also think of the many discussions and exchange of ideas at the three important year-end meetings held in Hong Kong: the Executive Committee meeting, the Executive Council meeting and the Olympic Commission meeting. I could sense during these meetings a complete feeling of solidarity between the members with their focus on the best solutions and decisions for the ITTF and the sport of table tennis as a whole, while personal and regional interests were set aside. This positive and warm feeling has extended to the end of the year, so I take this opportunity to wish all the 202 (soon to be 204) ITTF member National Associations, all our volunteers, all our professionals and all our readers and web-site surfers season greetings and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year filled with achieved objectives and reached goals. 2007, here we come!
Adham Sharara
ITTF President
|
