We had the privilege of being the first of six online presentations in the build up to the 2020 ITTF General Annual Meeting. The video conference was successfully conducted on Monday 1st September from the Foundation's headquarters in Leipzig.
Still facing one of the biggest global challenges due to Covid-19, we all must work together to recover as soon as possible. Recently, UN Women informed in a Policy Brief that gender equality is facing a step backwards due to the pandemic and encourages governments and different organisations to actively “build back better”.
During the last 2 months we have received US$ 314,400 donations from a total of 55 donors. Since then, we have offered 25 individuals and initiatives support; and further 10 are currently being analysed for eligibility.
Following the devasting explosion in Beirut on Tuesday 4th August, Lebanon is now experiencing a deepening economic crisis, a rapidly rising cost of living; for thousands of inhabitants, poverty is the outcome. In support, the ITTF Foundation Governing Board called for an extraordinary meeting to decide possible ways of helping the Lebanese Table Tennis Federation in these difficult times.
We are delighted to announce that Her Royal Highness Princess Zeina Rashid of Jordan is joining the ITTF Foundation family as a new Governing Board member.
It was an absolutely different celebration, but as magnificent as in previous years: On 6 April 2020 people from 171 countries and regions were physically distanced, but socially united, to celebrate the World Table Tennis Day 2020!
We were really amazed when a group of US citizens made a generous donation in memory of John Tannehill as part of our pandemic-related TTU fundraising campaign several days ago. On closer inspection, however, it makes a lot of sense. Because John Tannehill has also committed himself to society as a table tennis player away from the table tennis table. And here the circle closes again.
More than four years ago, 11-year-old Yousef was forced to flee Syria with his family. Their journey brought them to Alkmaar in the Netherlands. In the short time he has been here, Yousef has grown into as a positive role model for integration in the community. He plays and coaches table tennis at Ping Pong Alkmaar, speaks Dutch fluently and is always keen to lend a helping hand.
In light of Covid-19 and respective international travel restrictions, the 2020 edition of the ITTF Parkinson’s World Table Tennis Championships had to be postponed until Spring 2021. But to spread some good news: pre-registrations are already open!
