The ITTF Foundation published its 2021 Annual Report, highlighting the numerous positive impacts it made worldwide during a year still impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Created in 2018, the ITTF Foundation manages all the social responsibility activities of the ITTF Group, the umbrella organisation of table tennis, using table tennis as an inclusive tool for development and peace. Its award-winning projects deliver positive social outcomes and health benefits to all populations.
The Annual Report details all the projects led by the ITTF Foundation in 2021, the support received from its generous partners, the achievements of its dedicated teams, and the contribution of the global table tennis family. The Annual Report is available here.
Among the success stories of the ITTF Foundation in 2021:
- Since its inception in 2020, the fundraising campaign #TableTennisUnited supported 107 initiatives (2,3 times more in 2021) with donations totalling EUR 413 000;
- A total of 99 countries and territories celebrated World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) and joined the 24-hour live stream broadcast by the ITTF Foundation. Moreover, a new WTTD Promoters Initiative was established, with women accounting for more than half of the participants, resulting in more female participation in table tennis communities;
- The Dream Building Fund powered by the Foundation for Global Sports Development (GSD) was able to restart and will support six new projects in 2022, totalling 19 projects running simultaneously on all continents;
- The second edition of the ITTF Parkinson’s World Table Tennis Championships was successfully delivered in September in Berlin, Germany. The tournament has birthed better-suited rules and classification systems customed to Parkinson’s symptoms, making table tennis more accessible to people suffering from cognitive disorders. The ITTF Foundation is looking forward to the 2022 Parkinson’s World Table Tennis Championships in Pula, Croatia.
Partnership and cooperations are crucial for the ITTF Foundation to achieve a broader and more significant impact. In 2021, the project implementors again demonstrated their dedication and their ability to adapt and innovate. Through these initiatives, the ITTF Foundation aim to set international best practices in social development in the use of sports, specifically table tennis, to advance the UN SDGs.
Leandro Olvech, ITTF Foundation Director, commented:
“I would extend my gratitude to all our donors and sponsors for allowing us to bring positive changes across the world. I would like also to thank the ITTF Foundation Governing Board and Board of Trustees, and the ITTF for their trust and support. And finally, I want to congratulate my team for their incredible work and commitment during these challenging times. Together, we will continue to use table tennis as an inclusive tool for development and peace, connecting and empowering people on all continents.”
The 2021 Annual Report is available on the ITTF Foundation website.