Helsingborg Inspires at the ITTF Youth Development Summit

The ITTF Youth Development Summit, held alongside the ITTF World Youth Championships in Helsingborg, Sweden, brought together global stakeholders to shape the future of table tennis. The event highlighted the federation’s commitment to nurturing young talent, fostering inclusivity, and addressing challenges in the sport.

ITTF President Petra Sörling and ITTF Group CEO Steve Dainton opened the day by sharing their vision for youth development. Their remarks emphasised the interconnectedness of sports growth and social impact, setting the stage for an engaging series of discussions and presentations.

Mikael Andersson, ITTF Sports Development Director presented on the work of the Sports Development department, whilst Dora Jeler, ITTF Head of Development Operations provided updates on High Performance planning for the next year, as well as an introduction to changes to the ITTF Hopes Programme. The programme will return to a one-year cycle and include a closer link between national, continental and global stages to streamline pathways for emerging talent.

The day continued with a panel on ‘Empowering women in coaching’ led by Katarzyna Kubas, presenting the different women’s development projects available under the ITTF’s Sports Development umbrella. The Swedish Olympic Committee’s Ulrika Sandman presented Project Q, highlighting Sweden’s work on levelling the playing field for female coaches and athletes. The session also brought to the stage a panel of “My Gender. My Strength” participants, as well as a participant of Sweden’s Project Q.

During the ‘From Prodigy to Pro’ panel, moderated by Mikael Andersson and Galia Dvorak, Kanak Jha of the United States and former French player Marie Migot reflected on their unique journeys in table tennis. Migot, who retired at just 24, spoke candidly about the immense pressures of training and competing at the highest level from a young age. Her testimony highlighted the emotional and mental challenges faced by young athletes, bringing vital perspectives to the conversation about sustainable career development.

Safeguarding and ethical practices took the spotlight in a session led by Dora Jeler and featuring Jean-Benoit Charrin, Senior Manager for Human Rights at the IOC, and Kevin Carpenter, ITTF Head of Integrity. Charrin shared insights from the IOC’s research into safeguarding child athletes, advocating for a framework to uphold their rights in elite sports. Carpenter detailed the challenges of ensuring integrity and protection in youth table tennis, emphasising the federation’s determination to build a robust framework for Safe Sport. Together, their contributions underscored the importance of prioritising well-being alongside athletic success.

As the day unfolded, delegates explored how to make table tennis more inclusive and sustainable. The live demonstration of Spinsight technology offered a glimpse into the future of table tennis training, blending innovation with tradition.

Looking ahead, the ITTF continues its forward momentum with the ITTF Esports Summit on November 27, which will explore the integration of virtual reality table tennis and esports into the wider table tennis community. This summit precedes the inaugural ITTF World Esports Championships, taking place from November 27-28, marking a new chapter in the sport’s evolution.

Through these initiatives, the ITTF demonstrates its commitment to embracing both traditional development pathways and innovative approaches to grow the sport for future generations.