March 9, 2010
A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed, Haiti Thanks the Table Tennis Family
 A grateful Herold Francois at the Latin American Championships in Cancun Photo By: Carlos Esnard |
Courtesy of ITTF The initiative was made to help the Caribbean country of Haiti that occupies the island of Hispaniola alongside the Dominican Republic recover from the massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck at 4.53 pm (local time) on Tuesday January 12, 2010. |
Immediately the International Table Tennis Federation donated US$40,000 to the Goodwill Fund and now several of the world’s leading players have also responded.
Shirts Donated
Several notable names have donating signed shirts which will soon be available for auction on Ebay.
Once again the table tennis family has united, proved itself a strong unit and has come the aid of a friend in need.
Aid Acknowledged
It is a fact of which Herold Francois from the Haiti Table Tennis Association was quick to acknowledge on Thursday 4th March 2010 at the General Assembly of the Latin American Table Tennis Union.
He issued a written statement thanking the table tennis family for their support.
Haiti: Thank you Note
It is with great humility that I am standing in front of you, today... It is with urgency that I did want to speak to you all, the entire Table Tennis family… It is with utmost sincerity that I am, on behalf of the Association Haïtienne de Tennis de Table (AHTT), expressing deep gratitude for the moral and tangible support that you have provided, following the aftermath of the Earthquake that has destroyed my beloved country.No words can translate an absolute destruction of lives, related to a sudden misfortune of a nation … The purpose of my words is not in any way to attempt to do that, or to recount the tales of a moment of horrors that have engulfed dreams, created new realities, and challenged the existence of everything… The real purpose of my words is to thank overtly, all of the International Table Tennis Federation members, and secondly, to convey that in the midst of all, Table Tennis has survived; the Haitian Table Tennis is still standing…
At the Association Haïtienne de Tennis de Table, we are experiencing the true meaning of the motto “One Sport, One Family”… More than ever, we know that we are not alone… Each of you here, like many from the far corner of the World, somehow, has done something to create with certainty that feeling in us… Also, we have discerned that above everything, our sport is a human experience anchored in excellence. Table Tennis is about an honest and sincere friendship, a special bond between people of all nations, a care and a passion for each other that no earthquake can break.
Ladies and Gentlemen: because of Mr. Adam Sharara, President of the ITTF… because of Ing. Melecio Rivera, also Vice-President Executive of the ITTF… because of Lic. Evelio Alvarez, LATTU Program Director… because of Mr. Juan Villa, my dear neighbor, President of the Dominican Federation of Table Tennis… because of Mr. Glenn Tepper, ITTF International Executive Director-Development… because of you, the Haitian Table Tennis family has found the strength, the will to see through its tears the future.
Haiti is a small nation, but its people have a big heart, a determination to survive all unbelievable odds. It implies that calamity doesn’t define our existence or put it to a halt. At the Association Haitienne de Tennis de Table, the challenges, facing at this present moment, are viewed not as obstacles but stepping-stones, opportunities to use in order to develop further, achieve more, and ultimately actualize an unprecedented success of Table Tennis throughout the country.
The judicious actions of solidarity, taking place at the appropriate moment, count and are, potentially, effective and efficient. It is to say that the assistance from the International Table Tennis Federation is significant, and will be transformative. For sure, a good use of it will impart a sense of happy life in the hearts of the Tent Cities ‘kids, will allow the countless new amputees to go beyond their healing, to engage” life” by conquering their limitations, and “Breaking down the Barriers”. Others will discern through it (the Assistance) a renewed dynamic, integral to a consistency that points out an unconditional and permanent presence of our sport.
So, at the Association Haïtienne de Tennis de Table, we are genuinely grateful. In a particular way, we are acknowledging the great decisions of Mr. Glenn Tepper who understood the urgency to act in order to prevent that the devastation, caused by the earthquake, doesn’t cripple the mere existence of Table Tennis in the country.
My heart goes out to the Chilean people, particularly the Chilean Table Tennis family, who are experiencing the same disaster like ours. Human sufferings cannot be forsaken. The Haitian Table Tennis family is sending them their best wishes to overcome…
I feel delighted that, on behalf of the Association Haitienne de Tennis de Table, I was able to express, with great sincerity and simplicity, a devoted gratitude to you.
Once again, because of you, the Haitian Table Tennis family has hope, a new vision, and will overcome...
To conclude, let me quote Shakespeare: “I can no other answer make, but thanks and thanks”.
Thank You!
Donations
Grateful help from manufacturers and the wide ranging table tennis family is currently being afforded; however, help is still needed and donations can be made by bank transfer to the following account:
International Table Tennis Federation
Account number: 243-467622.10V
Category: Goodwill Fund
Client number: 243-467622
IBAN: CH06 0024 3243 4676 2210 V
BIC: UBSWCHZH80A
Currency: US$
Bank: UBS SA, Case postale, CH 1002 Lausanne, Switzerland
PayPal
Furthermore donations can be made via PayPal to the email address: goodwill@ittf.com in addition to the bank transfer option.
The International Table Tennis Federation thanks all who have supported.
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