Por CBTM
Slovenia is one of the World's smaller countries, after the end of World War Two it became a republic of Yugoslavia but in 1991, after a brief ten day war, secured independence. It is a country of two million people with the town of Velenje, the home of the Liebherr Slovenian Open, having a population of only thirty thousand.
Yet despite the comparatively small size of both country and town, many of the world's best table tennis will make the journey to central Europe and take part in what must be one of the region's biggest sporting events ever.
"Yes, it's a big event for Slovenia", said the eloquent Polona CEHOVIN SUSIN, a member of the Organising Committee and instrumental in promoting the efforts of the International Table Tennis Federation's Women's Working Group, she was one of the guest speakers at the Women's Forum held in 2005 at the Volkswagen World Championships in Shanghai.
Good Support
"We held five Slovenian Open tournaments, then the sixth became and ITTF Pro Tour Regular tournament and now we have an ITTF Major ITTF Pro Tour tournament", continued Polona. "We have sufficient people with the necessary organising skills and last year, the response from everyone I spoke to was that they were pleased with the tournament, so we were very happy to accept the invitation from the International Table Tennis Federation to become a Major ITTF Pro Tour event."
Organising an ITTF Pro Tour tournament is an onerous undertaking but there was a distinct air of quiet confidence in the tone of Polona's voice and it was quite clear that the organisations vital to a successful tournament were all working in harmony. "It's a joint project between the local club, Tempo Velnje, the national table tennis association and the venue, the Red Hall", explained Polona. All three bodies work together, the facilities are good and also the hotel's good."
Atmosphere
Certainly, everyone is pleased with the conditions that have been provided but would it not have easier to have held the tournament in the capital city, Ljubljana? "I suppose the only problem is one of transport, most players have to travel to Ljubljana and then to Velenje but I think it's only a very minor problem", said Polona. "Everyone in Velenje seems enthusiastic about hosting an ITTF Pro Tour tournament, the mayor and the local council support, the atmosphere amongst everyone is good so I don't think that travel is an issue."
Tempo Velnje is a thriving table tennis club, it may not be the home to the very elite of the sport but it is clearly very well organised, it fields teams in the top divisions of the Slovak League and has a large junior membership. Equally local companies have helped with sponsorship with a steel company in the Velenje area deciding to move its allegiance from ice hockey to table tennis. "Certainly this year with greater prize money, the tournament has attracted more media coverage", continued Polona. "Last year there was a WTA tennis tournament in the area, that's the only event that can really compare with this year's Liebherr Slovenian Open."
China
Also, Polona is delighted that the Chinese have entered. "Big names attract the media", she said. "It's the first time the Chinese have entered, so that's really good for the tournament." The presence of the Chinese is an attraction; they are the best in the world and soon Slovenia may have a Chinese player who can represent their national team. "YANG Ting has been living in Slovenia for four years, she wants to move here permanently and make her home in Slovenia", explained Polona. "It will take some time to sort out the passport but she adds interest to table tennis in Slovenia and of course the media takes an interest."
The attitude of Polona CEHOVIN SUSIN is to be applauded, she is very positive, whilst some may moan that the Chinese will come and win everything on offer, Polona sees the benefits of having such wonderful players on duty and the possibility of one making her home in the country and helping enhance the status of the sport is welcomed.
A positive approach and it reflects the spirit in Slovenia, a table tennis association in the ascendancy.
Source: www.itff.com
