31 Oct 2016

Professional footballer, Bojan Krkic, demonstrated recently that he is also adept when playing table tennis; the Spaniard who plays for Stoke City in the English Premiership, attended a competition for local schoolchildren where played against several of the youngsters.

Notably England international, Danny Reed, was afforded the task of being the umpire.

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Now from Stoke City, a club which is situated in the centre of England and is famous for the production of pottery, there is further support for table tennis.

Televised live on Monday 31st October, England’s top three players, Paul Drinkhall, Liam Pitchford and Sam Walker will appear on the pitch during the half-time break at the Bet 365 Stadium at a Premier League match against Swansea City.

In addition, a film will also be shown on the stadium’s big screen to promote the match against Greece; a crowd of over 27,000 is anticipated.

The initiative is promotion for the European Championships qualifying match against Greece which will be staged in Stoke on Tuesday 1st November.

“It is wonderful to see our players getting recognition from the wider sporting community and it is good news for table tennis in this country and in Europe as a whole.” Sara Sutcliffe, Table Tennis England Chief Executive.

Paul Drinkhall, Liam Pitchford and Sam Walker formed the England outfit that won bronze in the Men’s event at the Perfect 2016 World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur and comprised the Great Britain trio at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

General News Liam Pitchford Paul Drinkhall Sam walker Danny Reed