ITTF President Charts Course for Table Tennis Expansion in the Americas
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) President petra Sörling concluded a productive tour of the americas, focusing on strategic partnerships and infrastructure advancement to fuel youth engagement and regional growth of the sport. The visit, which included high-level meetings in the Dominican Republic, underscored the ITTF’s commitment to expanding table tennis’ reach across the continent.
Sörling’s trip centered on bolstering collaboration with key stakeholders – from government officials to private sector leaders – to create sustainable pathways for table tennis development. A central focus was the planned renovation of the Parque del Este Table Tennis venue in the Dominican Republic, earmarked to become a hub for the ITTF-Americas Academy. This initiative aims to provide enhanced training facilities and opportunities for aspiring athletes throughout the region.
During her visit, President Sörling met with Honourable Kelvin cruz, Minister of Sports and Recreation of the Dominican Republic, to discuss the vital infrastructure upgrades needed to fully realize the academy’s potential. Discussions also took place with Honourable Majin Diaz, Minister of Finance, who shared his personal passion for the sport.
The tour also facilitated engagement with influential figures in the Dominican Republic’s business community,including Felipe Vicini,President of CRESO,and Ramon Hipolito Mejia. These meetings highlighted the potential for private sector investment to further support table tennis initiatives and youth development programs.
The ITTF views a multi-faceted approach – encompassing event delivery, institutional cooperation, and youth development – as crucial for sustained growth. Sörling’s Americas tour signals a renewed dedication to implementing this strategy and unlocking the full potential of table tennis across the region.
