Hello from ITTF President

[Barna Centauri]

Dear Mr. president,
will there ever be a reglementation of the rubber production to prevent from ecological polution? We have the permission of speed glueing, but there is no rule for rubber production. There are so many sheets and sponges that are produced with high tech, but who knows, if all the integrated metal, TENSOR etc bubbles and whatever in the sponge and any other "high tech production" is really ecologically sensitive? I think that must have the same significance as using glues without CFC and dissolvers. I guess in production such stuff still is used, but I don´t know. Is a control of factory processes actable?


André

[Daniel Mertens]

Hello Adham,
I want to thank you for spending that much time in our board.
I read every single comment in this very interesting thread and all my questions had been answered.
In my eyes the ITTF is not that bad how many hobby players says.
I'm very impressed how you do public work like in this forum and answering many many emails every day.


Daniel

[Tony_Iommi]

All,

It's Thanksgiving week here and therefore everything slows down around this time of the year. Even though I haven't spoken to Adham, this is just to let you know that he might not be able to respond as quickly as he usualy does. So please keep that in mind in case you're waiting on him addressing your questions/comments.

[adham]

Zitat von Daniel Mertens

Hello Adham,
I want to thank you for spending that much time in our board.
I read every single comment in this very interesting thread and all my questions had been answered.
In my eyes the ITTF is not that bad how many hobby players says.
I'm very impressed how you do public work like in this forum and answering many many emails every day.


Daniel

Thank you Daniel. The ITTF is a very complex organization with 205 nationalities, offices in 3 Continents, and trying to develop the sport in Nicaragua, Zimbabwe and Brunei, while staging World level events in China and Germany. Our staff are very dedicated and work very hard and our elected volunteers try their best. But to lead such an organization all in the same direction while keeping peace amongst all our members is not an easy task.

I love this sport and I try my best to make it a big sport in the world. We need everyone who plays table tennis to promote our sport instead of complaining. I am confident that step by step our sport will be amongst the top sports in the world.

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[adham]

Zitat von Barna Centauri

will there ever be a reglementation of the rubber production to prevent from ecological polution?
...
who knows, if all the integrated metal, TENSOR etc bubbles and whatever in the sponge and any other "high tech production" is really ecologically sensitive? I think that must have the same significance as using glues without CFC and dissolvers. I guess in production such stuff still is used, but I don´t know. Is a control of factory processes actable?

You are absolutely right. Not only rubber but also celluloid used for the ball. I am very concerned about the materials that are used in making TT equipment. I am already discussing with experts "alternative" methods to keep our TT equipment green and ecologically acceptable. The VOC-free policy is just a first step, we definitely will be looking, one step at a ime, on how to render our sport ecologically friendly. I have to admit that celluloid is my biggest concern.

Adham

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[adham]

@mago:

1. Yes, I think older players can learn new things. If you already have the basics, then you can learn the variations. So, if you are using new equipment, first you need to understand what the equipment will do and then you need to modify your technique. You don;y need to learn a completely NEW backhand, what you need to learn are the new principles of the new equipment and how to "modify" your backhand to suit the new equipment you chose. I coach older players and I always manage to teach them some new things and modify their techniques, and I am not the best coach, but I succeed.

2. If you are playing only for fun and you don't have time for practice, then of course it is difficult to improve. In this case play even more for fun, try new things, win or lose it does not matter because you play for fun.

3. Home treatment is cheating. Maybe no one will detect it, but you yourself know that it is cheating.

4. Yes, I agree, Jonyer and Klampar made a great show. Unfortunately it is Klampar that brought the speed glue to Table Tennis. he is the first top player to use TipTop glue and the rest is history.

Thanks for your comments.

Adham

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[adham]

Zitat von TJRemington

I really would like to read your opinion on that!
Could you explain to me what a player MIGHT undertake to circumvent current rules?
Is table tennis now at a stage where high-ranked players are cheating????

Yes, you are right, Crisan was disqualified because his racket covering was too thick. I think that Crisan is probably the most talented player in the world, but unfortunately he used a racket that had too thick rubber/sponge of more than 4 mm. I don't think he tried to cheat, I think it was just a bad mistake.

Players at all levels are temprted to circumvent rules, but eventually they are caught. However, the top players in general follow the rules, they may push the envelope to tyhe limit but they try to stay within the rules.

Adham

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[adham]

Zitat von TJRemington

my questions:
# why were so many Pro Tour events cancelled?
## shouldn't important big events like Pro tour Chamionships, European or World Championships better take place more often at big cities like NYC :-), Paris, Melbourne and comparable cities?

A few pro Tour events were cancelled or replaced this year for various reasons. 2 of them for financial reasons (sponsor pulling out) due to the bad economy.
Yes, of course you are right, we should have events in larger cities, but unfortunately until now we do not get good conditions from these cities because they do not need more promotion. On the other hand, the smaller cities give better conditions because they like to promote their city.
We are working with many Tv networks to make our sport more attractive on TV with slow motion cameras, better camera angles, replays, etc.
I order to get sponsorship to have the money to do the things uyou suggest, you need sponsorship. Sponsors want to be on TV to sell their product. So, we need TT on TV first to get the sponsorship money and then we can invest as you suggest. The 2003 WTTC was in Paris with 12,000 spectators every day. The 2005 WTTC in Shanghai and 2008 in Gaungzhou. The 2009 will be in Yokohama (Tokyo) and 2010 in Moscow. So we are already following your advice at least with our World Championships.

Adham

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[adham]

Zitat von noppen-lord

Hi Adam
are there some news about the friction standard is not for ANTIS.
...

The other think I want to know how do you want to contoll the 25mN friction on a short and long pimple at the table from the referee???

Yes, I checked, the ANTI rubber are not affected, the 25mN rule is for pimpled rubber.

The friction level is checked at the Racket Control room at ITTF events. For other events you have to rely on the Authorization list.

Adham

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[Barna Centauri]

Zitat von adham

You are absolutely right. Not only rubber but also celluloid used for the ball. I am very concerned about the materials that are used in making TT equipment. I am already discussing with experts "alternative" methods to keep our TT equipment green and ecologically acceptable. The VOC-free policy is just a first step, we definitely will be looking, one step at a ime, on how to render our sport ecologically friendly. I have to admit that celluloid is my biggest concern.

Adham

Thanks, Adham
Would be great to hear something new about that later within the next years! I didn´t know, that the celluloid is a ecological problem. Do you have a reference?
Nice greetings,

André