(by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor)

An invitation is extended by the Argentine Table Tennis Federation for 10 International Umpires to officiate at the forthcoming 2017 Argentina Junior Open and 2017 ITTF Pan American Junior Championships.

Staged in Buenos Aires, the Argentina Junior Open will be held on Sunday 18th and Monday 19th June; the ITTF Pan American Junior Championships from Tuesday 20th to Sunday 25th June.

A maximum of two nominations is requested per national association.

Nominations should include one International Umpire who has achieved Blue Badge status, or, alternatively, has attended a certified ITTF Advanced Umpire Training Course and passed the Advanced Rules Exam.

Alternatively, one International Umpire who has been active internationally for at least two years but has not yet attended an Advanced Umpire Training Course will be considered. Any nominee in this category should be capable of achieving Blue Badge status within two years.

Furthermore, it is the policy of the International Table Tennis Federation to encourage female participation whenever possible; as an incentive, if a female umpire is nominated a third umpire from the national association concerned will be considered.

It is an open invitation. Therefore not all nominations may be accepted; only nominations submitted by bona fide national associations will be considered.

Full hospitality will be provided in a twin room from dinner on Saturday 17th June to breakfast on Monday 26th June.

Each umpire will receive a daily allowance of US$25.00 per competition day, according to ITTF regulations.

All invited umpires must organize their own transport to the region as well as travel and medical insurance.

In addition, all invited umpires are responsible for early arrival and late departure.

Local transport will be provided from and to Ezeiza International Airport (IATA CODE: EZE).

Should a nominated umpire require a visa, kindly send relevant details when submitting the nomination (full name as in passport, date of birth, place of birth, passport number, expiry date of passport). A letter of invitation will be provided.

Please note that all costs associated with the visa application are the responsibility of the applicant and the issuance of a visa is at the sole discretion of the relevant Consulate or Embassy.

Umpires must wear the International umpiring uniforms as described in the Handbook for Match Officials.

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