World Table Tennis Championship wants to bring the world together on one table
The GROUP 2011 World Table Tennis Championships is bringing people together under one sport, table tennis. Despite the differences of race, creed and colour, the table tennis family comes together to fight battles for medals, which result in binding friendships
amongst the different countries of the World.
The president of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Adham Sharara, emphasized the unity of table tennis players from around the world during the opening ceremony. The ceremony was held on May 7, at the Ahoy Arena, the venue for the table tennis
mega event.
The natural calamity that hit Japan on March 11 is still fresh in the memories of the World. The earth quake and the resulting tsunami washed away the coastal towns and cities of Japan. The Japanese squad was credited for their presence at the World Championship.
Besides Japan there was another squad from a country that was hit by a earthquake in 2010. The squad from Haiti located in the Caribbean. The players who have entered into the tournament are Herold Francis as the delegate and Fabrice Joseph as the player.
Haiti is a very small country when compared to Japan but the extent of destruction was not equal to that of Japan. The worst earth quake in the history of Haiti, struck on the morning of January 12. The country, with a very weak economy, took a lot of time
to overcome the disaster. Still there are many towns where there is no proper infrastructure constructed after the disaster.
“Their participation in the championship is itself a great achievement for the small country.
”, Herold Francis said, “At the time of the earthquake I wasn’t in Haiti, when I returned the devastation was too great to comprehend.”
The destruction he saw on his return was heart breaking and difficult to explain in words. The ITTF played an important role in rebuilding the table tennis circuit in the country. The Hopes Development Program of the ITTF brought smiles to the faces of many
through their efforts in bringing back normality ti life.
Herold Francis further said, “I am very grateful for the help which has been given by the Dominican Republic, in particular to Juan Vila, the President of the Dominican Republic Table Tennis Federation, they have been a great help, I am indebted to them;
we have been able to sign a contract with them; one of co-operation between the two countries.”
Life has become tougher after the disaster. The country has no proper internet facility, no proper housing and life in Haiti is like living in the stoneage. The only thing that brought hope to the country was table tennis through the ITTF Hopes Program. Thus
fulfilling the mission of table tennis around the world.
Tags: