World Class Table Tennis Commits To Sheffield
SubscribeEnglish Table Tennis Association/UK Sport 23 July 2009
Sheffield is to host an array of world-class table tennis stars and home grown talent over the next two years including the English Open Championships later this year - an event supported via UK Sport's World Class Events Programme.
The British Table Tennis Federation (BTTF) has extended its UK Sport-backed world-class Performance Programme for elite players and coaches at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield (EISS) for a further two years – taking the British medal prospects up to the London Games.
Sheffield provides our elite squad of players and coaches with some of the best facilities we could ask for and we are hopeful that the partnership will result in something special for table tennis in this country in 2012,” said Richard Yule, Chief Executive of the ETTA.
The new commitment from the BTTF coincides with news that the 65th English Open Table Tennis Championships – the ‘Wimbledon’ of the sport – will attract a glittering field of top players, including world and Olympic champions when the event is held at the EISS from 28 October-1 November.
Adam Sharara, President of the International Table Tennis Federations (ITTF), said: “The ITTF is absolutely delighted that England is back in the ITTF Pro Tour with the English Open and sees it as a great opportunity to promote our sport in England in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games.”
UK Sport’s Events Consultant, Esther Nicholls, said: “We are very pleased to be supporting the English Open in Sheffield. The event gives British players the chance to compete against the best players in the world in front of a home crowd – a valuable experience not just for them but for the officials and volunteers as well, as we countdown to London in three years time.”
To mark the date that tickets go on sale for the English Open, England’s current No.1 Paul Drinkhall, who recently won the U21 title at the China Open, will play an exhibition match today in Sheffield city centre against former No.1 and Open champion Desmond Douglas, the only Englishman to have won the Open title.
Tickets for the English Open Championships are available from Sheffield Arena and range between £5 and £20. They can be purchased via www.etta.co.uk/englishopen or though the Sheffield Arena Box Office on 01142 56 56 56.
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