Petra Sörling, the President of the Swedish Table Tennis Association (far right) with colleagues clearly in the Helsingborg spirit (Photo: courtesy of Max Ansbro) by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor Two days of play completed on the evening of Tuesday 27th June at the 2017 World Veteran Championships in the west coast Swedish city of Helsingborg; several notable names have graced the arena. The name of Slovenia’s Edvard Vecko immediately attracts the attention. He competed in the first ever European Veteran Championships in 1995 in Vienna and, when representing the country once known as Yugoslavia, was a bronze medallist in the 1969 World Championships in Munich. Likewise, the names of Austria’s Ding Yi and Germany’s Wifried Lieck are present alongside Poland’s Leszek Kucharski and
Month: June 2017
Hungarian Swaythling Club meets in Budapest
Robert Szentgyörgyi with a copy of the Swaythling Club News, the photo on the cover is Eva Koczian (Photo: courtesy of Robert Szentgyörgyi) by Ian Marshall, Editor Welcomed by Robert Szentgyörgyi, the secretary, members of the Hungarian Swaythling Club met at the House of Sports recently in Budapest on Wednesday 24th May. Notably, David Paar, the newly elected Secretary-General of the Hungarian Table Tennis Association, attended. A one minute silence in memory of members Zoltan Bubonyi and Peter Temes, who both passed away recently, was observed; both had represented Hungary at the highest level. ”We are glad the many of our members are going to attend the Veteran European Championship held this year in Helsinbörg, Sweden. We wish them best of luck.” Robert Szentgyörgyi Most pertinently,
European Veteran Championships in safe hands
Petra Sörling, President of Organising Committee, but possibly also a player in Helsingborg (Photo: Richard Kalocsai)by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications EditorA total of 2,090 participants from 37 countries will play an estimated 7,500 matches on 87 competition tables, a total of 32 titles at stake; that is the task that faces Petra Sörling, the President of the Swedish Table Tennis Association and her army of good and faithful for the forthcoming 2017 European Veteran Championships. Furthermore, add husbands, wives, friends, officials et al and no doubt the 3,000 attendance mark will be passed with the very greatest of ease. Staged in Helsingborg on the south west Swedish coast, proceedings for the 12th edition of the ever popular tournament will commence on Monday
Inovation, Singaporean veteran tournament
The most senior partnership on duty Lim Tow Cheng (left) 74 years old and (right) Mok Wing Cheong, 81 years of age; they represented Team Kingdom P. P. Sports (Photo: courtesy of Singapore TTA) by Ian Marshall, Editor Promoting health through sport for those of more senior years organised by the Singapore Table Tennis Association in conjunction with the Toa Payoh East-Novena Community Club a team tournament for veterans was held on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June. A total of 15 teams participated, the oldest participant being 81 year old, Mok Wing Cheong. Overall play took place in three age group categories; the competition being innovative and rather different from the norm. Results achieved contributed to the overall team effort. Three Men’s Doubles events
Eberhard Schöler recognised in Düsseldorf
The presentation in Düsseldorf (left to right) Hans Wilhelm Gäb, Ebby Schöler, Michael Geiger and Heike Ahlert (Photo: Rémy Gros) by Ian Marshall, Editor Silver medallist in the Men’s Singles event at the World Championships in Munich in 1969, the nearest any German player has ever come to lifting high the St Bride Vase; Eberhard Schöler was recognised for his contribution to the sport of table tennis at the recently concluded Liebherr 2017 World Championships. On the evening of Saturday 3rd June, in his home city of Düsseldorf, he received the award of Honorary Captain of the German Team. Present for the occasion, the first time the award has been made, was Michael Geiger, President of the German Table Tennis Association, alongside Heike Ahlert,
A challenge but Helsingborg possesses experience
The state-of-the-art venue in Helsingborg (Photo: courtesy of Max Ansbro) by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor Travel plans being finalised, over 2,000 players will descend on the Swedish city of Helsingborg for the 2017 European Veteran Championships; furthermore, a notable number will be from the host nation, more the 340 Swedes have registered for the week-long event. Play commences on Monday 26th June and concludes on Saturday 1st July. It will be a hectic week; some no doubt still making last minute travel plans; however there is no doubt the Helsingborg is ready. Certainly, Petra Sörling, President of the Swedish Table Tennis Association and Anders Karlsson, the Project Manager of the 2017 European Veteran Championships are most confident that the city located on the country’s