Following the return of the ITTF Hopes Programme to its full yearly developmental framework, Continental Hopes events are now progressing across the globe, creating the crucial bridge between grassroots discovery and international excellence. These continental gatherings represent the second tier of the carefully constructed pyramid that will culminate in the 2025 ITTF World Hopes Week & Challenge at Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport from 13-19 October.
Europe Leads the Charge in Portugal
Last week marked a significant milestone as Europe kicked off the continental phase with the annual Europe Hopes Week in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. The event brought together the continent’s most promising U12 players for an intensive week of high-performance training and international competition.
“This event is a key pillar in our long-term vision for European table tennis development and a huge sign of our cooperation with the ITTF Development Program,” commented ETTU President Pedro Moura, who was present throughout the week. “By bringing together the continent’s most promising young talents, we create a unique environment where learning, competition, and international friendship go hand in hand.”
The Portuguese gathering exemplified the programme’s core philosophy, combining:
- High-level training sessions with experienced international coaches
- Professional performance environments designed for player development
- Authentic international competition experience
- Cultural exchange and lasting friendships between young athletes
Continental Hopes Continue Across the Globe
With Europe’s Continental Hopes now concluded, attention now turns to the next continental events. Africa will host their Continental Hopes Week & Challenge in Lagos, Nigeria, followed by Oceania’s gathering in Noumea, New Caledonia, and the Americas Continental Hopes Week & Challenge in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Each continental gathering will follow the same intensive format, identifying the most promising talents who will earn the coveted opportunity to represent their continent in Sheffield.
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The selection process remains rigorous by design. From the hundreds of players who participate in National Hopes activities across member associations, only the most exceptional performers advance to Continental Hopes events. From there, just 40 players – 20 girls and 20 boys – will ultimately qualify for the World Hopes Week & Challenge, creating an elite gathering of the world’s brightest U12 talents.
Sheffield Awaits the Future Champions
The English Institute of Sport Sheffield, home to Great Britain’s performance programme, stands ready to welcome this international gathering of young champions. The venue selection holds special significance as it creates a direct pathway to the ITTF’s centenary celebrations, with the World Championships Finals returning to London in 2026 – exactly 100 years after the city first hosted the World Championships alongside the ITTF’s founding.
“We are honoured to have been selected by the ITTF to deliver the 2025 ITTF World Hopes Week,” said Emma Vickers, Head of Pathway Development at Table Tennis England. “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring the best U12 players from across the world to our very own performance base in Sheffield, and we will endeavour to use this week as a valuable development opportunity to learn more about best practices in the U12 early development stage.”
With Continental Hopes events now progressing across multiple continents, the anticipation builds toward October’s gathering in Sheffield. The young athletes competing in these continental events today may well become the champions who define table tennis’s next century as the sport approaches its historic centenary milestone.
The journey to Sheffield continues – and the future of table tennis has never looked brighter.