The Butterfly Table Tennis Solidarity Scholarships
The ITTF continues its focus to detect, support and evaluate young promising players from all over the world. Funds managed by the ITTF, allocated through two scholarship programmes, will in 2005 reach close to 200,000 USD.
The latest support initiative to be included in the ITTF Global Junior Programme is the “The Butterfly Solidarity Scholarships”.
Tamasu Co., Ltd. will support the ITTF with a scholarship fund of 5,000,000 Yen for 5 players or coaches per year (around US$8,000 per person per year) for a period of 3 years from 2005 until 2007 for a total contribution of 15,000,000 Yen (around US$ 120,000).
The President of Tamasu Co., Ltd., Japan, Mr. Kimihiko Tamasu, made the following announcement about the new project:
“I am happy to announce that the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and Tamasu Co., Ltd. cooperatively set up “The Butterfly Solidarity Scholarship” in this new year 2005. ITTF have already been successful in managing the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship from the IOC for some young talented players. Following this IOC’s idea, ITTF and Tamasu have officially agreed on the 3rd of January 2005 to start the Butterfly Solidarity Scholarship for young and talented players and their coaches“.
The ITTF President Mr. Adham Sharara praised Tamasu/Butterfly for their initiative:
“In the spirit of giving and generosity in the World today, it is heart-warming to receive a concrete example of solidarity from within the Table Tennis family. On behalf of the ITTF, I sincerely thank Mr. Kimihiko Tamasu, President of Tamasu Co. Ltd., for his development insight, generosity and caring about the development of our sport”.
After careful consideration the ITTF World Junior Commission is happy to announce the following five recipients for the year 2005.
1. Paul Drinkhall – England – Born 1990.
“High profile last year cadet player with great potential” Clearly the best European player at the ITTF World Cadet Challenge 2004 in Funchal, Portugal.
2. Kyle Davis – Australia – Born 1989.
“Despite his young age already the NR 1 junior player in Oceania.
Highly motivated, hard working athlete, always bringing a positive attitude and “fighting spirit” to the court.”
3. A. M. HASINTHA SASHIRANGA – Sri Lanka – Born 1994
“Sri Lanka U 11 champion. Runner up in the Tayiuan Junior Open U 12 event
In 2004. Scouted by ITTF Experts during training camps in Sri Lanka as “extremely promising, a diamond”
4. Yuka Ishigaki – Japan – Born 1989
Very promising defensive player from Japan with safe and sound techniques. Advanced to the last 16 in the junior girls singles in Kobe 2004.
5. ITTF /Butterfly – TBA – to Africa.
“Scholarship provided to the most promising African junior
Athlete in the African Junior Championships in Morocco – March 2005.
With the very bright future of sport in mind,
Mikael Andersson
ITTF GJP Manager
e-mail: mikael@ittf.com