World and European table tennis bodies sign continental affiliation agreement

By Nick Butler

October 11 - The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) has signed a continental affiliation agreement with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) in a move designed to increase cooperation between the two bodies.

The agreement was signed at a special ceremony in Schwechat between the newly elected ETTU President Ronald Kramer and the Deputy President of the ITTF Thomas Weikert which was held during the ongoing European Championships in the Austrian city.

It follows an ITTF Annual General Meeting in March 2012 which approved a resolution stating that continental federations can be affiliated to the ITTF for four year periods according to established criteria proposed by the Development and Continental Council.

This was established for the benefit of the continental federations and specifically for the ITTF member national associations in each continent.

The ETTU have now become the fifth continental federation to complete their affiliation process after the African, Oceanian, North American and Latin American associations all did so in Hyderabad at the World Junior Championships last December.

ETTU President Ronald Kramer shakes hands with ITTF vice-president Thomas Weikert to confirm the agreement

The affiliation should enable the linking of continental events to the ITTF world title events and also gives the ETTU the right to access ITTF development plan funds, as well as share in marketing income for specific events and have official recognition from the ITTF.

In addition continental federations will receive funding directly from the International Table Tennis Federation for development purposes.

There will be a 30 per cent over the 2009-2012 period and the ETTU is set to have close to $700,000 (£440,000/€516,000) to use over the next four years by signing the agreement.

ITTF President Adham Sharara stated his satisfaction with the partnership and that he is "personally very happy and proud that the European Table Tennis Union has decided to sign the agreement."

"This is an indication that the ETTU and its newly elected President, Mr Kramer, have understood the benefits of this agreement and have decided to work closely with the ITTF for the development of our sport in Europe and in the world," he said.

"To sign such an agreement does mean that it is not just a financial benefit for Europe, additionally it means that Europe can implement development projects as well as plan with the ITTF marketing activities to generate more income for the ETTU.

"The ITTF and both its development plan staff and marketing division staff will now work together with the ETTU to catch up on time lost in 2013, and make sure that the ETTU is back on track with its development plan and can open new frontiers with new marketing initiatives.

"This is a very positive step forward and I am sure that our work together will reap benefits for Europe and will bring the ITTF family closer together for the benefit of our sport."

Dimitrij Ovtcharov formed part of German team which won the mens team event at the European Championshipswhich the ETTU and ITTF agreement was held alongside

Dimitrij Ovtcharov formed part of German team which won the men's team event at the European Championships...the ETTU and ITTF agreement was held alongside the championships and should serve to boost the continent's competitive fortunes

The excitement were shared by the Kramer, who explained the criteria for affiliation as well as taking a look forward at the journey ahead.

"I am very pleased that, so soon after being elected, the new ETTU Executive Board has agreed to this very important Continental Affiliation Agreement," he said.

"It is a basis for productive cooperation for ITTF and especially for ETTU in the near future - it will help present our lovely sport in a more uniform way in Europe and in the world."

"We encourage and support the development of our sport in a sustainable, structured, progressive and professional manner and we will work with the ITTF on a quadrennial development plan basis.

"In addition, we agreed to respect the principles of the ITTF.

"These are unity of action, mutual respect of associations in their dealings with one another, and the inadmissibility of discrimination against associations or individuals on racial, political, religious or other grounds."