by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

They were in volved in a promotion where table tennis was centre stage; a total of 1,252 players, most children alongside a group of disabled players, competed on no less than 102 tables. It is a new table tennis merry-go-round.

The event was organised by Borussia Düsseldorf one of the most celebrated clubs both their own country as well as throughout Europe and further afield. Clubs come and go, Borussia Düsseldorf was there strong and successful in the days of Ebby Schöler, later Desmond Douglas and Jörg Rosskopf amongst other celebrated names. It has lasted the test of time.

Now more recently, represented by Timo Boll, Kristian Karlsson, Stefan Fegerl and Anton Källberg, earlier this year, they won European Champions League, for no less than the fifth time. Furthermore, they won the predecessor, the Europe Club Cup of Champions six times.

It is a quite remarkable record, in the local football stadium it was another record; one of which both organisations can be proud. Simply they provided an opportunity for people who may never aspire to high sporting levels to enjoy themselves and to be part of an occasion when they became world champions.

A day centre stage and one which underlines the quality of table tennis; it is the sport everyone can play, everyone can enjoy and a staggering number enjoyed in Fortuna Düsseldorf.