Lausanne, Switzerland, 30 July 2003. During the last years table tennis as a sport, has taken some big steps forward on the international sport scene – the future ‘steps’ forward will be by car!
The International Table Tennis Federation has concluded an agreement with Volkswagen AG, which is the most extensive sponsor contract in table tennis ever.
Volkswagen will be the title sponsor of 4 Pro Tour events to come in Asia in 2003 and all Pro Tour events in the Asia Pacific in 2004. First event included in the agreement will be the Volkswagen Korea Open 4-7 September this year.
The Pro Tour Grand Finals in 2003 and 2004 will also carry the name of Volkswagen – as well as the Volkswagen World Individual Table Tennis Championships in Shanghai, China in May 2005.
At the Volkswagen Pro Tour Grand Finals the winners of the Men¹s and the Women¹s Singles will be able to drive back home. On top of the prize money (Men’s Singles 38.000 and Women’s Singles 26.000 USD) the winners can take home a VW Beetle Convertible.
As a part of the agreement, Volkswagen has the right to be the official car at the ITTF events mentioned.
‘Obviously we are extremely happy with this agreement. During the last years we have tried to make changes and improvements in order to make table tennis more attractive for spectators, television – and sponsors. This agreement tells us that we are on the right track’, says the ITTF President Mr. Adham SHARARA.
‘We are proud to work with Volkswagen and we will do everything possible to give Volkswagen value for money. With the position of our sport in Asia, both concerning spectators and TV coverage, I feel confident that we will succeed’, says the ITTF President.
Volkswagen AG which has its Headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, will also be the title sponsor of the Volkswagen German Open and the sponsor of the German National Team.
However, the main target for Volkswagen is the Asian region, especially China, and to that end the Chinese interest in table tennis seems to be the perfect ‘weapon’.
The Chinese national TV, CCTV, has bought the rights to broadcast live from all Pro Tour events, the Grand Finals included, and the World Championships 2005 in China (Shanghai) will of course also be on the Chinese television screens.
The German part of the agreement will be serviced by TMG Germany, e-mail tmg.gerlach@t-online.de
The worldwide agreement will be co-ordinated by TMS International, e-mail at@tmsin.com and cv@tmsin.com.