Archives | 8 Sep 2011

2013 European Veterans? Championships: Welcome to Bremen

09/09/2011 – From 27th May to 1st June 2013, the ??Arena will be the venue of the 10th European Veterans’ Table Tennis Championships (EVC). As early as during the World Championships in Rotterdam in May this year, the German Table Tennis Assoc

09/09/2011 – From 27th May to 1st June 2013, the ??Arena will be the venue of the 10th European Veterans’ Table Tennis Championships (EVC). As early as during the World Championships in Rotterdam in May this year, the German Table Tennis Association (DTTB) had been honoured by the European Table Tennis Union to host these championships. However, due to several German cities applying for this big event for the 40 plus table tennis cracks, the final decision was only taken now.

“Together with the city of Bremen we look forward to Europe’s veterans and we hope to achieve a new record with more than 3,000 players taking part in the EVC,” says Thomas WEIKERT, President of the DTTB. In 2006, this figure was more than met during the World Veterans’ Championships at the same venue in Bremen: In what is today the ??Arena, more than 3,600 players from 61 countries were competing.

The EC organisers – apart from the DTTB they are the ??Arena and the Bremen Tourism Centre – are prepared to set a new record. Matches will be played on about 130 tables in 2 large halls. The organising team is well aware of the needs and requirements of the world’s fastest racket sport. Apart from the Veterans’ World Championships, the international table tennis elite made its appearance there in 2006 for the LIEBHERR World Team Championships, as well as up to now 3 German Open Championships. “At the ??Arena we are again offering professional conditions for the EVC. Among other things, in both halls the special red table tennis floor will be laid and we guarantee the best possible lighting,” says Claus KLEYBOLDT, Managing Director of the ??Arena.

Everything will be provided under the same roof, and non-sports aspects will not be neglected either: There will be a rest area in the hall, serving for relaxing and getting to know each other. In addition, catering has been adjusted to the need and tastes of international guests. At the conclusion of the EVC, there will be a big farewell party for participants and accompanying persons.

The Bremen Tourism Centre will offer a wide range of accommodation from small boarding-houses to a five star luxury hotel within walking distance to the hall. Before and after the event there are numerous possibilities to travel within the region or all over Germany. For accompanying persons and players alike, Bremen offers a vast tourist programme. “Bremen is the city of short distances,” confirms Peter SIEMERING, head of the Bremen Tourist Centre. “That is perfect – it gives you a chance to concentrate on the sport and in addition discover our fantastic city.”

At European and World Veterans’ Championships Germany, more often than not, is represented by one of the biggest delegations with several hundred participants each. It is also one of the most successful delegations. At this year’s EVC in Liberec (CZE) German players accounted for 50 medals in 8 age categories and 4 competition classes (Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles).

European Veteran’s Championships take place every two years. Everybody interested may enter – provided he is 40 years or older in 2013. In Germany, appr. 200,000 veteran players, men and women, are active in its 10,000 table tennis clubs.

For the 2013 EVC, many Bremen citizens are expected, too – as volunteers from the clubs and as participants. They may be led by multiple German Veterans’ Champions (Singles, Doubles, Team), Horst-Dieter COORSSEN and Peter EILERS.

(by Simone HINZ, courtesy DTTB)

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