Are you planning to visit the 2011 World Table Tennis Championships in Rotterdam? And would you like to know more about the championships, Rotterdam and available hotel accommodations, then the following is for you.

We have the pleasure to present  from the Eurokids finals in Rotterdam, made by kind courtesy of Match Sport Media solutions. All four kids will participate at the ITTF World Hopes week at the WSA.

All five finals at the GAC GROUP 2011 World Table Tennis Championships turned out to be all-Chinese affairs. The domination of the Asian megapower could not have been expressed more explicitly. On Sunday morning, public favourite Timo Boll did not succeed in becoming the only exception.  The German, who felt so good in The Netherlands, could not avert defeat, going down 4-1 to Zhang Jike. For Boll there was one consolation; the bronze was his first singles medal in a World Championships.

The Netherlands Table Tennis Association (NTTB) is celebrating its 75th anniversary in Ahoy. “It’s great to see that everybody is beaming during the World Championships”, says Ronald Kramer, chairman of the NTTB. The party has passed with flying colours. Kramer: “Everyone – from volunteer to tournament director – has given his best. That makes these World Championships special. Terrific.”

Only ten months go to and then the next World Table Tennis Team Championships will start. And also that tournament will take place close by. In the German city of Dortmund the Liebherr World Table Team Tennis Championships will be held. The Dutch ladies have promised that they want to go for a medal. The ticket sale for the event in the Westfalen-hallen which has room for 11,000 spectators, will start in July: website www.tischtennis.de

Busy, busier, busiest. That is typically Bettine Vriesekoop these days. The top player of yesteryear is Ambassador to the World Table Tennis Championships. She takes her job seriously, speeds through the corridors of Ahoy and, as the former figurehead of Netherlands table tennis, has given a number of interviews this past week. With this also – and mainly – setting the tone: the tournament in Rotterdam is the best possible advertisement for the sport.

It says Li X.X. on the back of her shirt. But, in the finals of the World Table Tennis Championships, Li Xiaoxia was one size too small for her fellow-countrywoman Ding Ning (2-4). She became Guo Yue´s successor, of course the gold (and silver and bronze for that matter) remained in Chinese hands. As a young girl Ding Ning already learned the tricks of the trade, because table tennis players are well paid professionals in China.

GAC Group is the main sponsor of the World Table Tennis Championships in Rotterdam. Vice-chairman Li Shao is enthusiastic. “ This sport offers everything, competition and wisdom. Table tennis is popular all over the world. The little ball leads to top sport, to cultural exchanges, to eternal friendships. “ A sport for individuals and a sport for families. “Table tennis means working hard working together, with attention to details. We hope that our partnership will encourage more people to start playing table tennis and that also more enterprises will link in to support this sport.”

These days an event will only be granted a permit if qualified first-aid personnel are in attendance. During the World Table Tennis Championships in Rotterdam a team of six volunteers is continuously available to give first aid. “For us it is a quiet event with a pleasant audience. The participants in this tournament very seldom call upon us” says Ria Kersten, a member of the team. “Until now we have needed little more than plasters and aspirin. But if something serious happens, we have to be ready to cope, of course. We too have to peak at the right moment!”

This year more than 500 million people are expected to watch the World Table Tennis Championships on television. The NOS, the ‘host broadcaster’ is responsible for the recording of the matches. The NOS uses fifteen cameras. Arno Vermeulen (Chief Sports NOS): “Table tennis is a difficult sport to show the spectator.

Timo Boll is keeping the European end up in the World Table Tennis Championships. On Friday the German beat his fellow-countryman after 6 games. Belarus expert Vladimir Samsonov was knocked out in the final game (11-9) of a blood-curdling match against the Chinese Chen Qi.

China's 24 year old Cao Zhen added to her list of successes by retaining her Mixed Doubles title at GAC GROUP 2011 World Table Tennis Championships.

This Saturday the 21 year old Jun Mizutani has the honour of taking up the gauntlet against  the world’s number one Wang Hao in the quarter finals. On Thursday the Japanese beat first Zoltan Fejer-Konnerth (Germany) and subsequently he settled scores with Adrien Mattenet from France. Mizutani thinks that he will stand a good chance in the quarter finals, supported by the fanatical audience from Japan.

Never before in history of Dutch table tennis the sport has received so much attention from the media as during the World Table Tennis Championships in Rotterdam. Even in the glory times of Bettine Vriesekoop, when internet had not been invented yet, the Dutch Table Tennis Association had to do with less. Hopefully the publicity, which in most cases has had a positive character, will lead to more popularity.

On Thursday, for the first time during the 2011 GAC Group World Table Tennis Championships, Wang Hao had a serious problem. The Chinese number one in the world and thus also number one on the ranking list was behind (2-3) against South Korean Ryu Seung-min, but he fought back strongly (4-3). For Ryu the match against Wang was a repeat of the Olympic final in Athens 2004.

Natalia Partyka is the only player in these World Championships who is taking part in both the main tournament and the Dutch Open for the Disabled. She reached the last 64 in the world. The 21 year old Polish lady was born without a right forearm. “In table tennis it’s not really a problem.

The Chinese domination in world table tennis the last fifty or so years has not occurred by chance, nor does it have anything to do with world wonders. It’s the mass that does it. The breeding-ground of talent is inexhaustible; the good, the better, the best rise automatically to the surface. Nothing is left to chance to fish for a new number one if necessary.

On Tuesday Ton van Happen received an award in recognition and appreciation of the organisation of the World

The Netherlands Table Tennis Association (NTTB) and the Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) will start to co-operate in order to stimulate participation in sport in the context of the 2028 Olympic Plan. From next season, five football clubs which participate in the pilot will get a table tennis table in their canteen.

On Wednesday the World Table Tennis Championships came to an end for the old soldiers Jean-MichelSaive and Jörgen Persson. The 41 year old player from Belgium lost in four games against Sang-Eun Oh from South Korea, the Swede (45) had to bow for the tough Greek Panagiotis Gionis.

After three days 1196 matches have been played during these World Table Tennis Championships. There will be 171 more

Every day Ahoy Catering takes care of the lunch and dinner for the 1800 players, trainers, staff members and volunteers. Rosanne Spronk and Ralf Knikkenberg co-ordinate the catering. Rosanne:  “This is a very nice job to do. We need a lot of staff to serve a good meal to our guests who come from many different parts of the world.” Each shift consists of no less than thirty people and the same number goes for the service. Ralf:  “The quality needs to be good of course. That requires some efforts.

She left, disappointed, looking for comfort with her relatives. The part of Elena Timina in the ladies singles was over after only one round

 
With five new members the International Table Tennis Federation has grown into
the second largest sports association in the world. After the application of

Table Stars is a programme for children aged  6 to10.  Challenge, tension and fun are the key words.

On Wednesday May 11 children aged 10 to 12 from 22 European countries will participate in the Euro kids programme organized by the ETTU.

Yana Timina, Casper ter Lüün and Nathan van der Lee have already got to know the jokes of our mascot. You can’t have missed the WTTC mascot!

Jean-Michel Saive is the new record holder in the number of participations in world table tennis championships. The 41 year old Belgian player beat his Scottish opponent Gavin Rumgay.

Adham Sharara is very generous in giving compliments when asked about his experience with the WTTC in Rotterdam. “This is one of the best tournaments ever held” said the ITTF President.

Travellers in Rotterdam have to be prepared for delays when making use of public transport on Wednesday morning May 11.

A part of Rotterdam was struck by power failure on Monday morning.

The volunteers area in Ahoy has been painted orange by students of the Albeda College. They have come to Ahoy to gain marks for their training.

The World Championships in Rotterdam are in themselves a climax for Jaysron Mathilda. “This is a really great event” says the player who lives in Groningen and is representing the Netherlands Antilles.

Busy times at the accreditation desk in the central hall of Ahoy. The table tennis world is rushing in. One of the things that need to be arranged is the plastic card around the neck of the officials, players, trainers, coaches and staff members.Hundreds of accreditations are being issued and thousands of questions are being answered with a smile by a team of twenty employees.

On the first Sunday of the tournament, two pigeons were flying around in Hall 1.

Together you can achieve more than alone. That’s the idea behind the co-operation between the Netherlands Table Tennis Association (NTTB) and the Netherlands Hockey Association (KNHB).

The best way to achieve success is with strong, reliable partners. This goes  for both sport and business.  Liebherr is such a partner.Thanks to the German company’s support,  the history of the ITTF can be viewed during the World Table Tennis Championships.

The GAC GROUP 2011 World Table Tennis Championships were opened today. The opening ceremony, attended by 600 guests, provided a sparkling beginning to the World Championships that will take place from May 8 up to and including May 15 in Ahoy, Rotterdam.

Concluding proceedings in 13th place in the Boys’ Singles event at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August 2010 was a fine performance and although there was medal, a top 20 finish was a meritorious performance for Koen Hageraats of the Netherlands.

The World Table Tennis Championships in Rotterdam were officially opened on Saturday evening with a show that was both spectacular and successful.

The technique works, on all fronts. The live scoring system, which is being used in the World Table Tennis Championships for the first time, was tested extensively on Saturday.

The Manhattan Hotel Rotterdam is ready for the World Table Tennis Championships. As official tournament hotel The Manhattan Hotel Rotterdam will host all tournament officials and most athletes of the event which will take place in the Rotterdam Ahoy Indoor Arena, May 8-15.

There is no question that China starts as favourites to conclude the GAC GROUP 2011 World Table Tennis Championships in Rotterdam on Sunday 12th May 2011 with the most medals.

They may seem to be a somewhat odd bunch, the scientists, engineers, coaches and physiotherapists who are attendees at the 12th ITTF Sports Science Congress in Rotterdam, Netherlands held just two days prior to the GAC GROUP 2011 World Table Tennis Championships which start on Sunday 8th May 2011.

On May 5th,6th and 7th nearly 2000 people will receive an accreditation pass for the GAC GROUP 2011 World Table Tennis Championships.

The 2011 GAC GROUP
The Rotterdam World Table Tennis Championships  can count on a great deal of television coverage. NOS, the host broadcaster, will provide a daily report on the Championships taking place from 8 to 15 May in Rotterdam.

Please find here the bulletin for all delegations, with lots of relevant information for the players and their teams.

Representatives from the Dutch government, chairman from the Netherlands table tennis association (NTTB) Ronald Kramer, member of the board of the Dutch Olympic committee Mr. Jan Willem Maas and World Championships ambassador Mrs. Bettine Vriesekoop (former European champion) waved the Chinese selection good-bye last Wednesday in Beijing. The Chinese players will compete in the individual World Championships in Rotterdam from May 8th until May 15th 2011.

One of the most prominent companies in the Chinese car industry, the GAC GROUP, will be the title sponsor for the forthcoming World Championships, to be staged in Rotterdam from Sunday 8th to Sunday 15th May and for the 2013 World Team Cup.

The Dutch Table Tennis Association (NTTB), the Organizing Committee of the WTTC and the Dutch Foundation for disabled athletes started a partnership to raise funds for the further integration of table tennis. This Foundation is chosen as charity fund during the 2011 WTTC in Ahoy Rotterdam (8 to 15 May).

If you love the game of table tennis you do not want to miss the excitement from 8 through 15 May in Rotterdam. It is the highlight of the table tennis year where champions from around the globe will come together and compete for the world title. So take advantage of the hotel packages on offer and book your room now. The packages are available until 28 April.

Just 3 weeks to go before the World Championships starts. To cheer the crowd and support the players we revealed an unique mascot for this great championships.

The list of selected players of the 2011 World Table Tennis Championships is announced.
Click here.

Coming weeks the exhibition centre Railz miniworld shows the Rotterdam Marathon and the World Championships Table tennis 2011. The World Championships will be presented in a cheerful miniature setting of Ahoy. A nice promotion for the World Championships and a good reason to visit Railz miniworld and applaud for the contestants over there.

Detailed, meticulous planning is the key to the success of any event, the World Championships is no exception; in fact it is a prime example.

Over 800 players have registered to compete in the World Championships to be staged in Rotterdam from Sunday 8th to Sunday 15th May 2011. Add to that number: coaches, officials, guests and a massive logistical exercise is the order of proceedings.

Furthermore, there is an added ingredient; on the last three days of competition the Dutch Para Table Tennis Open Championships, a Factor 40 tournament for ranking purposes, will be staged.  

A 150-meter-tall hotel designed in the shape of a ping-pong racket will be built in Huainan city, East China's Anhui province, as part of a complex to tap the wealth of the sports industry.
The hotel, located in a planned Olympic park covering an area of over 1,000 mu (67 hectares), has an estimated investment of 300 million yuan. It will feature three parts, the top designed for sight-seeing, the middle will house guest rooms, and bottom used for conference facilities.

China Unicom has agreed a deal with TMS, the Marketing Agency that represents the International Table Tennis Federation, to be a major sponsor of the 2011 World Table Tennis Championship in Rotterdam 8-15 May. 



This is a repeat deal that sees China Unicom return to support the biggest event in table tennis for the fourth time, the past events being at the 2006 Championship in Bremen, Germany, 2007 Championship in Zegreb, Croatia, and 2008 Championship in Guangzhou, China.

The on-line system for final entries for the World Championships, to be staged in Rotterdam from Sunday 8th to Sunday 15th May 2011, is now fully operational. 

Preliminary entries concluded on Thursday 27th January 2011, the date on which final entries officially began. 

A total of 113 associations returned Preliminary Entry Forms, which will no doubt increase; the preliminary form being an intent to enter as opposed to a confirmation. An association who did not submit a preliminary entry form may submit a Final Entry Form.

A delegation of the ITTF visited Rotterdam from 9 to 12 February. The purpose of this visit was the last inspection of the venue for the 2011 WTTC, AHOY in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

During the visit, the delegation was informed about the current situation of the 2011 WTTC. They visited the recently reopened AHOY Arena for a detailed inspection. Because the inspection took place during the ABN AMRO world tennis tournament, the delegation got a good impression of the AHOY Arena during a big event.

On 110 days before the first match, the organizing committee of the 2011 World Table Tennis Championships has announced their competition schedule. The Championships will be held from 8 to 15 May 2011 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Eight days of top-level table tennis will be concluded with a spectacular final weekend with the men’s single semi finals and final on Sunday. The women's single final is scheduled on Saturday.

On 9 December the prospectus for the 2011 WTTC has been sent to all national associations connected to the ITTF. On 8 January it will be known how many players will be registered per country. On 8 March the list of players will be known.

The General Information for the Dutch Open for Disabled has also been sent. The entry procedure is almost parallel to the 2011 WTTC procedure. This Dutch Open will be organized from 13 to 15 May.

For both events entries are only accepted if submitted by the national associations.

After the individual medals of Kelly van Zon and Gerben Last, there was also success at the team tournament. The Dutch men (class 9) won a gold medal at the World Championships for disabled in the South Korean Gwanju. Gerben Last, Ronald Vijverberg and Tonnie Heijnen defeated France with 3-0. Also the Dutch ladies surprised with a silver medal at the team tournament.

The organization of the WTTC 2011 congratulates Kelly van Zon with her world title (singles class 7). Also Gerben Last deserves congratulations with his bronze medal (singles class 9).  These performances were delivered on the World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.

Representatives of the ITTF have visited Rotterdam from 21 till 23 October for inspection. During this inspection the progress of the organization was closely watched and discussed. They also visited Ahoy Rotterdam during the world championships artistic gymnastics.

On 6 and 7 May the 2011 WTTC organisation will host the 12th International
Table Tennis Federation Sports Science Congress.

The ticket sales will start on the 15^th of October. As of this day tickets can be bought via  our website...

On the 27th of September 2010 the contract between the Foundation for Table Tennis Events in The Netherlands(STN) and the Manhattan Hotel Rotterdam as official hotel has been signed...

At the moment the organisation of WTTC 2011 is working hard to start the ticket sales. Unfortunately the ticket sales will start later then initialy indicated..

During the EC in Ostrava the Dutch women won the European Championship for the third time in a row...

The first WTTC newsletter about the WTTC 2011 was sent...

On the Wednesday of the World Team Championships, the Netherlands Table Tennis Association (NTTB) and the organizing committee for the 2011 World Championships gave a presentation on the preparations...

At the Word Championships Swimming for Disabled in Eindhoven, Tournament director Ton van Happen gave a presentation about the Dutch Open Table Tennis for disabled athletes...

Rotterdam is not only the Dutch City of Sports, but also a great place to be for shopaholics. Because of the variety of shopping centres, everybody will find something to do and to experience...

Bettine Vriesekoop is ‘the’ face of the 2011 WTTC in Rotterdam. As WTTC Ambassador she will be involved in all activities where the 2011 WTTC will be promoted...

During the second weekend of the 2011 WTTC in Rotterdam, a Dutch Open for Disabled Players will be organised. Currently the preparations are advancing. Early July, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has agreed that it will be a factor 40 tournament...

Heading towards the 2011 World Table Tennis Championships, the Dutch Table Tennis Association (NTTB) is preparing for a year full of table tennis activities. The NTTB regards the WTTC as an opportunity for all Dutch people to get in touch with table tennis and to get connected with this sport...

During the World Team Championships in Moscow we were there with a promotion stand. We gave the visitors information on the...

From 8 – 15 May 2011 the World Table Tennis Championships (individual) (WTTC) will be held in Rotterdam. Ahoy Rotterdam has been chosen as venue for this international sports event. More than 700 athletes from over 120 countries are expected to come to Rotterdam to compete for the five world titles.

ITTF-president Adham SHARARA signed the contract for the 2011 World Table Tennis Championships in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Saturday the signature was made in the presence of all members of the ITTF Executive Committee and mrs. Erica TERPSTRA, president of The Netherlands Olympic Committee.

Saturday 2 october the WC organisation was present at the Chinese sportsevent in the Sporthallen Zuid Amsterdam to promote the Worldchampionships...