ETTU | 24 Jul 2024

ETTU Executive Board Discusses Future of European Table Tennis at Malmö Meeting

ETTU Executive Board held its meeting during the European Youth Championships in Malmö. Numerous competitions, events, and proposals imposed a very rich agenda. On the second day, ETTU Acting President welcomed ITTF President Petra SÖRLING and Swedish TTA President Dennis LINDAHL, who joined the EB meeting.

The ITTF President thanked for the invitation and reflected on the evolution and modernization of our sport, while the Swedish TTA President gave all members a warm welcome to Malmö and emphasized his association's strong will to continue organizing future ETTU events.

At the beginning, ETTU Acting President Pedro MOURA provided an update to the members. The Acting President reported on his visit to the World Masters in Rome, which was well organized, and his meetings with ITTF. He informed about the ETTU representation at the Paris Olympic Games and the request to ITTF to grant an award to ETTU for organizing the European Para Championships starting in 2027.

Europe Top 16 Cup

Following the meeting held with the Swiss TTA and the Europe Top 16 Cup LOC, the EB agreed to the request for a 4-day competition to be played on one table.

Coaches Meeting on 13.7.2024 at EYC

The Vice President in charge of the Coaches Committee, Miguel VICENS, reported on the Coaches Meeting that took place on Saturday, 13th July, during the European Youth Championships. The meeting, organized by the Chair of the Coaching Committee with support from the Chairs of the Umpires and Referees Committee and the Ranking Committee, saw high attendance. The EB will receive a full report from the Coaches Committee Chair in the following days.

Ranking System

The Executive Board reviewed a proposal regarding the ETTU Team Ranking. The next ETTU ranking publication will be in August. The EB decided to submit a proposition to Congress to use the ETTU Ranking for seeding in all ETTU team and individual competitions starting with the events in 2025. A webinar dedicated to this proposition will be held on Wednesday, 18th September 2024, at 1800 CET.

Registrations/Nominations Eligibility

Following IOC and ITTF recommendation (only preventing Russian and Belarusian Government or State official to be invited to or accredited for any international sports event or meeting), the ETTU Executive Board decided that persons holding either Russian or Belarusian passports will be eligible for nomination to ETTU positions at the following ETTU Congress. In addition, the board decided to allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian passport holders in ETTU development activities.

ETTU Recognitions

• Award to the most successful Member Association at Individual European Championships. The Executive Board approved the introduction of a prize for the most successful association at the European Individual Championships. This prize (award) was already introduced by the European Multisport Championships organization for the 2022 European Championships in Munich. The EB approved to have the same prize at the European Youth Title events.
• Stars on T-shirts The General Secretariat proposed that Europe Top 16 players could include stars or similar emblems on their t-shirts, inspired by traditions in other sports to recognize champions. The Executive Board approved this proposal, and the General Secretariat will proceed with finalizing the details.

The Executive Board approved the draft Constitution and event regulation propositions and the 2025 Budget to be put forward to Congress. The Executive Board considered all propositions received and decided to award 6 persons with an ETTU Badge of Honour.

On Day 2: Development

• VR Table Tennis Challenge After the successful first edition of the Virtual Reality Table Tennis Challenge in 2023, the Executive Board has decided to organize the European Virtual Reality Table Tennis Championships in 2024.
• Para U23 Challenge The first European Para Table Tennis U23 Challenge will be organized in Hennebont, France on 21-25 October 2024. The event will consist of a 3-day training camp and classification for new players, followed by 2 days of competition.
• GAP Women The GAP Women Online Learning tool will be ready and made available to all ETTU members in October 2024. Additionally, the project's culminating event will be held in Aix-en-Provence, France on 27 and 28 October, featuring a study focused on women's initial engagement in table tennis.

Internal Policies

The Executive Board approved the submitted Open Recruitment Policy ID05.

Webinars:

• ETTU Ranking Proposition: Wednesday, 18th September 2024, starting at 1800 CET.
• Finances: Wednesday, 2nd October 2024, starting at 1100 CET.
• Constitution and Events Propositions: Tuesday, 8th October 2024, starting at 1100 CET.

The next EB meeting will be held on Monday, 23rd September 2024, starting at 1100 CET.