by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Notably the outstanding performances of Brazil’s Hugo Calderano and Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz were recognized.

Similarly, entered into the minutes of the meeting were the achievements of Gustavo Tsuboi, Cazuo Matsumoto, Thiago Monteiro, Brian Afanador, Marcos Madrid, Alberto Miño, Andy Pereira, Lady Ruano, Gui Lin, Yadira Silva and Marcelo Aguirre.

Also the major events which had taken place involving players from the continent were noted in what was a busy year with Rio de Janeiro being the host for both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games.

Importantly, the Pan American Junior Championships had been staged in Vancouver, the Latin American Championships in Puerto Rico and the Latin American Veteran Championships in the Dominican Republic; in addition to ITTF World Tour, ITTF World Junior Circuit and various events in the regions of the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

Furthermore, the ITTF Development Agreement was signed for the period 2017 to 2020, in addition to a commercial understanding being concurred with the company Raise.

Agreements signed; Leandro Olvech, ITTF Director-Development, Freddy Almendariz, Chair of the Latin American Table Tennis Union’s Umpires, Referees and Rules Committee, addressed the meeting as did Gonzalo Barak, the Director of Marketing, Ramon Ortega Montes, the Director of Development and Anibal Olivares who presented the Strategic Plan for 2017 to promote the sport. The project “Vamos”, intended to popularize table tennis in schools was highlighted.

Pertinently with a view to the Caribbean, Colombia’s Carlos Figueroa Marin was named Marketing Advisor, Dr. Grullon Moronta legal adviser and Puerto Rico’s Manuel Perez Media Director.