April 28, 2009
WTTC: Dancing to the Beat of a Different Drum
 Drumbeat for the Opening Ceremony. Photo By: Rémy Gros |
Courtesy of ITTF The dexterity of the dancer, the tempo of the beat are inextricably linked with the skills of table tennis player. Good movement and balance are essential factors; whilst any high class player, who has performed well, will advise about the value of rhythm. At the Opening Ceremony for the H.I.S. World Championships held early in the evening of Tuesday 28th April 2009 in the Yokohama Arena, movement and rhythm were very much to the fore. |
It was dancing to the beat of a different drum.
Expressive
A team of drummers started proceedings followed by dancing which linked gymnastic skills with flag waving to upbeat music in an atmosphere of dry ice.
The expressive arts were to the fore, the message was athleticism and teamwork, the basic ingredients that create success in sport.
Teams Presented
An exhilarating performance was followed by children from schools in Yokohama city, dressed in white shirts and navy blue shorts, entering the arena each carrying a banner with the name of each participating country.
The names recognized, the Egypt Cup, as in true tradition, was presented by the Egyptian Table Tennis Association to Takio Ohbayashi, the President of the Organizing Committee for the H.I.S. World Championships. The historic cup was donated by King Farouk in 1939 during the 13th World Championships in Cairo and it symbolizes the friendships of the Championships.
Speeches
Protocol over, Takio Ohbayashi, Adham Sharara, ITTF President and Hiroshi Nakado addressed the assembled; all grateful for the support that had been given from all quarters with players having travelled from the four corners of the earth to be present in Yokohama.
Large Sporting Gathering Underway
Matters came to a conclusion with all standing for the Japanese national anthem and the raising of both the ITTF and Japanese flags.
One of the world’s largest sporting gatherings was officially underway.
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