January 30, 2009
Join the ITTF World Hopes Team!
Courtesy of ITTF
Exciting Times for Young Talents
The ITTF is proud to introduce, in cooperation with Tamasu Butterfly, a new support initiative targeting growth and international solidarity through Table Tennis. As a direct follow up on the successful ITTF/Butterfly Solidarity project, running for three years from 2005 to 2007, the ITTF is now ready to launch the ITTF World HOPES Team - powered by Butterfly.
Investment in the Future
Over a period of three years, Tamasu Butterfly will invest 5,000 000 Japanese Yen/ year (approx US 50,000 ) to support the identification, selection and operation of a World Team composed of twelve year old talents from all over the globe. The successful candidates will be given first class coaching, extensive training opportunities and the possibility to compete at targeted events in the new ITTF HOPES category.
World Wide Search
We are now opening a worldwide search for suitable, promising young players to join the 2009 ITTF World Hopes team. Nominations will be widely accepted from all interested parties such as individual coaches, clubs, local associations and national associations.
National Associations Involved
In the final selection process, all the involved National Associations will be asked to confirm the availability and to secure proper management of the selected athlete. The ITTF Education and Training Department will also work very closely with identified coaches, offering a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend ITTF Hopes events and to get first class guidance for future adventures in the program.
Looking Forward
The ITTF President Mr. Adham Sharara is looking forward to see the ITTF Word Hopes Team come alive:
“The ITTF's Hopes Team idea is innovative, pushes the envelope and is worth trying. It's success depends a lot on all the partners concerned to fully co-operate and make it happen. This is one of those "collective" projects that can only work if all concerned are convinced and do their part. In fact, this is a stimulus to push younger athletes to develop at an earlier age. I am very interested to see how it will develop."
ITTF Education & Training
The newly formed ITTF Education & Training Department will assume coordinative responsibilities for the HOPES project.
"First of all I would like to thank Tamasu Butterfly for their generous input and financial support to make this idea become reality. I am pleased that we now are in motion with the Hopes idea preparing for the first ever ITTF event for such a young age category to be held in Örebro, Sweden over the weekend February 21-22. Over time I am quite sure that the ITTF World Hopes Team, once it is selected and formed, will be a tremendously positive experience for coaches and the young players involved. I am excited play an active part in this project", said Mikael Andersson the ITTF Education & Program Director.
Web link now Open
Please note that nominations and applications only will be accepted through the ITTF Website – ITTF Global Junior Section using the official link (www.ittf.com/_front_page/ittf2.asp?category=wht)
Mikael Andersson
ITTF Education & Training Director
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