- Published: June 29, 2024
Almost a week after entering the scene, the ITTF World Masters Table Tennis Championships Roma 2024 – presented by Stag Global, they stopped at Sperlongaa tourist resort in Lazio unique for its beauty, for a promotional day organized by Italian Table Tennis Federationin collaboration with the Lazio region and the Municipality of Sperlonga.
In the ice rink (Ex Giardinetti)in Via Cristoforo Colombohundreds of girls and boys, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren were the protagonists of an intergenerational event, taking turns at the tables, set up thanks to the support of the FITeT Lazio Regional Committeeto practice the Table Tennis Xunder the guidance of federal technicians. The fun and inclusive version of table tennis, which uses wooden rackets, without rubber covers, and larger and heavier balls than those used in competitions, to facilitate outdoor practice, truly involved everyone. The event was also an opportunity to further publicize the world championship scheduled for New Rome Fair from 7 to 14 July.
The event was enriched by the presence of institutional and federal personalities, who took up rackets and experienced the taste of challenges at the tables. The Councilor for Sport and Tourism of the Lazio Region, Elena Palazzoconfirmed its closeness to the World Cup: «The Region believes very much in major sporting events and in the impact they also have from a tourist point of view. We are preparing to experience with great emotion this extraordinary moment that will take place at the New Rome Fair and will involve 6,100 athletes from five continents. The Region is alongside FITeT not only for these Championships, but also to put in place a series of initiatives that can increasingly promote a discipline that is very inclusive and socializing and requires great commitment from those who practice it competitively. We are in a wonderful setting and we have created a connection with Rome here in Sperlonga, one of the most beautiful postcards of the Lazio Region”.
The City Councilor for Sports George Vaccaro brought greetings from Sperlonga: «For the Municipality it is an honor to promote and enhance table tennis close to the Masters World Championships in Rome. We are proud to introduce this beautiful sport to the children of our territory and our district.”
The director of the World Cup is satisfied with the initiative Giuseppe Marino:«We are very happy to be in Sperlonga, one of the most beautiful places on the Lazio coast, and to bring our sport here. We are trying to promote this great event in the area. The World Cup will begin in a few days and the preparation phases have already begun. As the Organizing Committee we will do everything possible to best welcome the people who will arrive from all over the world, to participate in the largest event in the history of table tennis and also among those hosted in Italy in all disciplines. We look forward to seeing you at the Nuova Fiera di Roma, to experience a great sporting spectacle together and more.”
The FITeT Lazio Regional Committee has experienced the approach to the Masters World Championships in the front row. «In our Regional – explains the president Andrea Pizzi – this season we have seen an increase in demand for table tennis at all levels, from competitive to pure fun. The coincidence of the World Championships has had a very positive overall impact. We have been involved and promoters of several promotional events. It is a pleasure to be in Sperlonga which, in addition to being a charming town, is located in a province that has created one of the most important table tennis schools in Italy. There have been many champions who come from Latina and also a team that won the championship».
Photo 1: from left Andrea Pizzi, Giorgio Vaccaro, Elena Palazzo and Giuseppe Marino
Photo 2: the challenge between Elena Palazzo and Giuseppe Marino
Photo 3: Elena Palazzo and Giorgio Vaccaro at the tables
Photo 4: Table Tennis X and fun in Sperlonga
