TTSTAR - ENJOY TABLE TENNIS

Ahmed Bin Al-Khalifa, the Chairman of the Bahrain Table Tennis Association, is very much the man at the helm of the sport in his country; forward thinking, he is crossing new horizons as he leads the sport into a new era in the Gulf region of the world.
Furthermore, he is very prominent with regards to promoting the sport for young people and is very keen to see the Bahrain Junior Open grow in stature.
Staged from Monday 1st to Friday 5th February 2010, the Bahrain Junior Open kick starts the 2010 ITTF Junior Circuit calendar and it will undoubtedly set a high example for others to follow.

Special Moment
"We're today standing in a very special moment, the 4th Bahrain Junior Open”, said Ahmed Bin Al-Khalifa. “This event, without exaggerating, is one of the most successful sport events in Bahrain".
Undoubtedly, the Bahrain Junior Open has grown in stature and being a Premier event it has gained a notable status.

Co-operation
"The reason for the success is because of the collaboration of all parties, we have a good support and co-operation from the International Table Tennis Federation; we have good friends that show up when we need them, and most importantly, you keep coming back”, continued Ahmed Bin Al-Khalifa. “Obviously we must not forget our sponsors but we want to highlight that we are always happy and delighted to see countries coming back to Bahrain; this ensures us that we are in the right track."
Certainly they are on the right rails; they are in the fast lane.

Participation
"In 2007 we had 10 countries, about 50 players; today in the fourth edition we reached 26 countries and hundred 116 players" continued Ahmed Bin Al-Khalifa. "The other good indication is the fact that International Table Tennis Federation believes in us and gave us the responsibility to host the first Youth Olympic Games International Qualification event, so that's another type of support".
Without question it will be a busy time in Bahrain.

Listening
"As you know, Bahrain will host the 2011 World Junior Table Tennis Championships; for us and for you to have a great success in the next year event we need your feedback”, continued Ahmed Bin Al-Khalifa. “We need each one of you to come to us and to say: "this is not right" or "this is good"; in this event we prefer to listen than to talk, so please work with us to enable us to host a successful 2011 World Junior Table Tennis Championships".
A splendid approach, listen and co-operate; many can learn from those words.

Pleasant Stay
"The one thing I would like to wish you is a successful event and a pleasant stay in Bahrain", concluded Ahmed Bin Al-Khalifa.
For some it will be success for others it will be disappointment; that’s sport but one fact is certain, everyone will enjoy a more than pleasant stay in Bahrain.
Ahmed Bin Al-Khalifa has made certain that will happen.

Ian Marshall, ittf.com