Preview to the Youth Olympic Year 2010
December 30, 2009

Mikael Andersson is looking forward to an interesting year. Photo Courtesy of ITTF

Courtesy of ITTF Lausanne, December 28, 2009 - Swedish born Mikael ANDERSSON is the Executive Director of Education & Training for the International Table Tennis Federation. With the year 2009 fading out, it is time to look forward to the next year.

Mr. ANDERSSON explains in this interview why the timing of the Youth Olympic Games is perfect, why table tennis will be one of the highlights in Singapore and what he hopes to do in order for table tennis to lose the "ping pong basement image" on the North American continent.

About Mikael Andersson
ANDERSSON, former Danish national coach, moved to North America in 1999 and is the spiritual father of all ITTF Junior and Cadet activities. The year 2010 will be a very special one for young table tennis players and also for Mikael ANDERSSON; the reason is that the first Youth Olympic Games to be staged in Singapore.

The table tennis events will be held from August 21st to 26th.

Questions:
- Since 2002 the ITTF has had Junior Circuit events and the Cadet Challenge. Since 2003 World Junior Table Tennis Championships have been staged. Do you agree that the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2010 come at the right time to lift the ITTF efforts for young players to the next level?

Answers by Mikael Andersson:
Yes I agree 100 percent. The introduction of the Youth Olympic Games could not have come in a better time for our sport. The ITTF is in a very positive cycle of events and activities right now. We have been successful in establishing a strong and forward looking Global Junior Program which I consider, especially with the strong development aspects, as being one of the best in the world run by an IF (International Federation).

- Despite several years of experience, the YOG may create some challenges for the ITTF.
We have chosen to strongly integrate the YOG qualification process into our development and junior activities. This path will, I am sure, set up a long term effect also with associations and individuals that in the end may fail to gain a spot at the YOG. We now need to make sure that all national associations and the involved NOCs (National Olympic Committees) understand our qualification vision with multiple opportunities available. Lets hope that all young promising players regardless where they live get a fair shot to participate in a at least one ITTF YOG qualification event.

- An Olympic Games is always a chance for a discipline. How do you expect table tennis to benefit from Singapore 2010?
No doubt we will be one of the most exciting sports to watch in Singapore. We are promoting a young and very skilled age group involving some of our most talented prospects. The successful athletes in table tennis I am sure will have Olympic Success also in the future. I see this as a good opportunity for a sneak peak (preview) of the 2020 Games. The trend in our sport is very clear in terms of early success connected to adult stardom.

- What are the opportunities the ITTF shouldn't miss in 2010?
Attention to details and as always allows ourselves to think "outside the box". The ITTF Global Junior Program had a clear global vision when it was created back in 2002. It is easy to be caught in a thinking that our competition events alone will get the job done for us. It's not! We need to constantly remind our member associations to promote youth Programs and to make much stronger efforts in producing young promising players and coaches. Given the rapid increase in international, continental and regional events made available for national associations, I am afraid that financial or human resources in the end may lack, and that decisions or priorities made may not favor the young players. In that scenario we shouldn't be afraid to open up opportunities for other interested parties such as training centers, corporate sponsors from getting involved and funding teams to compete at the ITTF Junior Circuit level.

- Only 1994- and 1995-born players can participate in Singapore. What do you do in order all dates of birth will be given the chance to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games?
We tried to discuss with the IOC to have an under open set up for table tennis but where not successful so we then had a decision to make. In fact I am happy that we managed to focus on a younger selection. I mean if we had gone with the four year cycle very few in the younger two year bracket would have qualified anyway. The only pity is that athletes born for example in 1996 and 1997 are in danger of not getting any chance at all to compete in the YOG as they will miss in the rotation also the 2014 Games.

- Other sports try completely new formats while table tennis has rather "normal" competitions. Wouldn't it be better to try something new?
I am happy with the events offered and a Mixed Team event is really a new format never tried before. As for the competition format, it was some sort of restrictions on the number of events I am sure. Believe this one connects to IOC rules and regulations and their ambition to have the YOG as a smaller games version compared to the Olympic Games. We gave out four gold medals in Beijing and will have three now. I think that is a good result.

- What else than table tennis experience would you like young players to learn in August 2010? Will the ITTF arrange educational workshops or is there a cooperation with the Organizing Committee?
Yes, we are lining up a whole set of activities. Both the IOC and the SYOGOC are making strong efforts to promote the education aspects of the YOG. We will work hard to coordinate activities in Singapore to make sure that the young athletes and their coaches gain valuable knowledge from the games. For the moment we are discussing a mandatory training camp - sport specific workshops combined with more general cultural events to be included for our athletes and coaches.

- Are you afraid that other ITTF Junior events may be neglected? Is it more difficult to find organizers for other events due to the focus on the YOG?
Well, not really. Although we are for the moment seeking organizers for the 2010 Cadet Challenge I am sure that we will find a solution very soon. The YOG is also connected to the National Olympic Committees and participation will not be a burden on national associations at all. So my answer is NO - I don't think it will affect other ITTF Global Junior Programs properties.

- As the education of players is in progress, what other domains need to be pushed to educate? In many countries umpires and organizers for instance seem already quite aged.
Good question demanding a straight answer. The ITTF is looking to introduce a Young Umpires project which would allow to make a younger selection of umpires to travel to the games. I hope this will work out well and spark some interest to pursue international officiating careers.

- Table tennis has different perceptions in different parts of the world. What needs to be done to close the gap between ping pong and table tennis?
I would love to see the release of a strong ITTF campaign in North America. This is the number one ping pong continent. Lots of people play at home in the basement without getting the opportunity to play or to watch competitive table tennis. As an organization we also need to realize that something is actually happening in the USA for the moment. In fact we never had as many young promising USA-born prospects in our sport as now. I sincerely hope that we can muster enough energy to come up with a development concept that fits the markets in North America or for that matter Pan America, in order to promote international opportunities for the many young talents on the move for the moment.

- Please give a short summary of the Global Junior Programs till today and what you expect to be crucial for the future.
First of all I would like to wish the new management of the ITTF Global Junior Program and especially its new Director Raul CALIN good luck. I am sure Raul and his team will add a personal touch to activities and events. Personally I think that we are in a good position for the future. Our main properties such as the ITTF World Junior Championships, the Cadet Challenge and the Junior Circuit are now established and we are also very good in executing these events. Of course there are crucial elements coming up all the time. As I said before I am a strong believer in looking at solutions for us to accommodate also other parties than national associations to become operational in educating young players and coaches. The recent interest to start academy-like training centers on a private or semiprivate basis is just one indication for the future. There will be more "players on the field of youth development" in the future and I hope we are getting ready to understand that.

Mr. Andersson, thank you for your explanations and all the best in 2010.

Thanks for the opportunity to express my thoughts and opinions. It turned out to be a good debrief for the future. Looking forward to seeing the YOG come alive next year!