Zitat:
Zitat von TJRemington
Hello Adham,
would you like to tell us readers how high your playing level is, what kind of "career" you followed as an active player, and how you - as a
canadian :-) - achieved to become president?
Btw, my canadian friends always smile when they hear about this fact.
I think they find it funny bc tt probably plays no role at all in Canada and only like Ice hockey.
How would you assess the future potential of tt in North America?
Thx
Cheers, Till
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I was Canadian Junior Champion (U-17), then a member of the Canadian National team briefly (1973-75), I was ranked in the top 10 in Canada for about 8 years or so. I was coached by Sido (Hungary), Cordas (Croatia) and a couple of Canadian Coaches. But I myself was very interested in coaching and started coaching when I was 16 years old. At 20 I was the women's national team coach to the World Championships in Sarajevo (1973). I attended every World Championships since then as a national coach, team leader or ITTF official. Internationally, I did not play at a high level. I played in US Open many times, US Open Team Matches (my team won in 1978 circa), French Open, Japan, and Commonwealth Championships.
I was elected as the ITTF Vice President for North America in 1989. This was my first official introduction to the ITTF structure. I served for 4 years. I was out of ITTF in 1993 for 2 years (disagreement with President about reversal of Glue Ban and change of Eligibility rule which was made retroactive). I came back in 1995 and ran for President, but I decided not to run against Mr. Lollo Hammurlund because of my great respect for him. Instead, I was elected as Vice President. in 1997 I was elected as Deputy president, and in 1999 I was elected president of the ITTF. Why a Canadian? I do not think that nationality mattered, by then I was well known inside the ITTF, I can speak several languages, and I have good diplomatic skills. But most of all, I am a table tennis enthusiast: player, coach, club president, umpire, official and lover of the game. I also understand cultures and believe in democracy. Perhaps the Europeans did not want to elect an Asian, and perhaps the Asians did not want to elect a European. So, I was a good alternative. I was re-elected in 2001, 2003 and 2005 (new 4-year term). The next election is in 2009 (Japan).
recently a voting poll was run on another Forum and I got 20% of the votes in favour and 80% against me. I am glad that the Forum election does not count.
Your Canadian friends smile, because all Canadians smile. We are a polite and shy people. But you are right, in Canada there is only one sport: Ice Hockey. Table Tennis in Canada is more of a recreation sport, but the Canadian TTA works hard to develop the sport the best they can.
Adham