Dear friends and supporters of the ITTF Global Junior Programme,

The ITTF is proud to launch , in the year 2009 , a new age category to be introduced at selected events and on a trial basis ; ITTF HOPES
We have made an agreement with the organizers of the Safir International Table Tennis meet in Sweden (JC  18-19 and Safir Int 20-22)  to stage the first ever ITTF HOPES event for young  athletes born ;  Born on or after 1 JAN 1997.  For more info – see selected prospectus or contact the organizers directly. The ITTF will offer very favorable conditions for an ITTF WJE camp in Köping,  Sweden starting Thursday 12 FEB.

Additional events will be added in 2009 based on interest and in direct negotiations with selected organizers.

Vision statement:
“The introduction of an official Hopes category enables the ITTF to become pro/active in the fields of talent scouting and open an ally to promote quality coaching aspects for the benefit of young players. The Hopes events will be monitored from a quality standpoint and at all times reinforce solid technical and tactical development of the game”
Goals;

• Introduction of the HOPES category at four to six suitable ITTF JC events (if the organizers are interested only) in the year 2009.
• To have the ITTF Hopes category, alongside with the Cadet category, integrated in the ITTF JC event structure from 2010.
• To introduce a special “ Coach of the year award connected to the HOPES category”
• To offer, in 2009, at least two developments and educational training camps at locations TBD – attached to the normal ITTF WJE camp structure and combined with coaching education seminars / clinics.

Notes;

• No official ranking list will become available for this age category
• No official point standing for the Hopes series will exist.

Age cut off active from the 1 JAN 2009;

• The ITTF Hopes category will be open for players born on or after 1 Jan 1997.

FIRST EVER ITTF HOPES EVENT : 
 Safir International in Örebro FEB  20-22 , 2009 – visit www.btksafir.com

Mikael  Andersson
ITTF Education & Training Director 
mikael@ittf.com
www.ittf.com