World Table Tennis Day, on Wednesday 6th April, is a global celebration of a sport that virtually everyone has played and most certainly everyone can play, a sport that brings unity and harmony.
On the 50th anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy, using table tennis for peace making is the centre message for this year’s celebration; hundreds of creative events are being staged around the world.
All have a common factor: the aim to build diplomatic and friendly relations between nations and people, bringing peace around the tables.
On the eve of World Table Tennis Day ITTF President, Petra Sörling, visited IOC President, Thomas Bach, who declared:
“The Olympic Games unite the world in peaceful competition. Table tennis, being an Olympic sport, makes a fundamental contribution to this mission, and has proved to be a tool of diplomacy. I wish everyone a great World Table Tennis Day, which is celebrated on the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. This is a great opportunity to highlight how sport, the Olympic Games and table tennis promote tolerance, solidarity and peace among the participants, fans and people all over the world.” Thomas Bach
To mark the occasion, the two presidents played table tennis against each other at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Once again, “friendship first, competition second” rang true; Petra Sörling well aware that sport, in particular table tennis, has far reaching effects beyond the walls of an arena.
“On World Table Tennis Day 2022, we are all witnessing the unique power of sport and how table tennis can create dialogue and foster mutual understanding. May it inspire dreams and hopes for not only the entire table tennis community but also the next generation, whatever their aims and goals worldwide.” Petra Sörling