22 Jul 2017

Initially appointed to fulfil the role of Competition Manager at the Liebherr 2004 World Team Championships in Doha; the stay of Croatia’s Zlatko Cordas in the Gulf State of Qatar lasted rather longer than was at first anticipated.

In fact, it lasted no less than 14 years; the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open earlier this year in February, being his swansong before announcing retirement.

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Recently, a special ceremony to thank Zlatko Cordas for the outstanding contribution made to the sport of table tennis in Qatar was staged.

Held at the Mövenpick Hotel; Khalil Al Mohannadi led proceedings. Throughout the period in which Zlatko Cordas has been present in Qatar, he has worked closely with Khalil Al Mohannadi, who in addition to being the President of the Qatar Table Tennis Federation, holds the office of ITTF Deputy President, President of the Arab Table Tennis Federation and Vice President of the Asian Table Tennis Union.

Also in attendance to mark the occasion was Khalid Ali Al-Mawlawi, former President of the Qatar Volleyball Federation alongside Abdullah Al-Mulla, former Deputy President of Qatar Table Tennis. Likewise Naji Al-Ajji, a member of the Qatar Table Tennis Association’s Board of Directors and Mohamed Al-Rumaihi, Executive Director, were distinguished members of the gathering.

Addressing all present, Khalil Al-Mohannadi stressed the outstanding contribution made by Zlatko Cordas to the sport of table tennis in Qatar. He highlighted the fact that his sincerity and hard work was greatly appreciated, the result was that standards had risen and a structure was in place for further growth.

Khalil Al-Mohannadi presented Zltako Cordas with a valuable engraved souvenir and a national team shirt with the lettering “Thank you Zlatko Cordas”.

Zlatko Cordas will be succeeded by Algeria’s Mounir Bessah; an ITTF Competition Manager since 2011, he will assume his new role later this year in October.

All smiles from Zlatko Cordas (left) as he receives the specially printed Qatar national team shirt from (right) Khalil Al-Mohannadi (Photo: Mohamed Elgazar)
General News Khalil Al-Mohannadi Zlatko Cordas