The Tiger from Arad The Tiger from Arad The King of the ... - ITTF

REVISITED
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
Revisited
We have come a long way in a very
short time. The ITTF Global Junior
Programme stumbled out of the
gate in 2002, featuring four International Junior
Opens. The tournaments were loosely
stringed together to form the ITTF World Junior
Circuit. We also had the goal of organizing
the ITTF World Cadet Challenge for the first
time.
Today, only four years later we can look back
proudly on the pioneer days as necessary learning
experiences and pride ourselves with the
present shape of a Global Junior Programme,
clearly touching the so important development
nerve of our sport.
Although we are a very young movement
always working with and for the future, history
is still important.
FOR MANY YEARS India had actively pushed the ITTF
to organize a World Junior Championships;
over the years a global youth event had touched
on world title status without gaining ITTF
approval.
The decision to officially organize a World
Junior Championship came in Osaka 2001 and
the ITTF Junior Commission chaired by Mr.
Tony Yue from Hong Kong came alive the very
same year.
Original ideas and thoughts of a wider and
more comprehensive approach to ITTF Junior
activities quickly grew stronger and were approved
for a trial year starting 1st January
2002.
4 • ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
The real test in the opening year was to
establish the ITTF World Cadet Challenge and
its unique continental concept. With the Hungarian
Association and their General Secretary
Mrs. Judith Farago agreeing to incorporate the
event within the Youth Table Tennis Festival in
Tiszaujvaros, we were in serious business.
TO WORK WITH THE FUTURE is not only a true privilege
but also a refreshing experience. Very often
you have the feeling of being able to examine
the future state of our sport.
In the last four years we have seen some tremendous
table tennis played by young and exciting
players at our key events.
IT WOULD BE AN EXAGGERATION to claim that we know
exactly how the future looks. On the other
hand it is true to say that we have a pretty
good idea.
The recent years are full of memories, we
have seen global expansion, young people are
driving the sport forward and there is a passion
for table tennis.
On behalf of the ITTF Junior Commission
Mikael Andersson Tony Yue
ITTF Global Junior Chair of the ITTF
Programme Manager Junior Commission