Thomas Weikert Manifesto for the Presidency of the Ittf Profile
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DELIVERING VALUE AND GROWTH FOR GLOBAL TABLE TENNIS THOMAS WEIKERT MANIFESTO FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE ITTF PROFILE About Thomas Weikert Date of birth: 15 November 1961 Born: Limburg, Germany Experience in Table Tennis and sports administration: • President, ITTF (September 2014 – Present) • Deputy President, ITTF (2013 – 2014) • Executive Vice-President, ITTF (2009 – 2013) • President, German Table Tennis Federation (DTTB) (2005 – 2015) • Lawyer, DTTB (2002 – 2005) • Chairman of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB – National Olympic Committee) ‘Team and Ball Sport’ Working Group (2009 – Present) • President of the DOSB Table Tennis Coaching Academy (2008 – 2016) • Former Table Tennis Federal League (Bundesliga) player and currently plays for ‘TTC 1947 Elz’ in a regional league Professional career: • Fully qualified and vastly experienced sports and family lawyer (since 1991) • Law apprenticeship (1988 – 1990) • Student of law in Gießen (1982 – 1987) KEY ACHIEVEMENTS At the ITTF: At the German Table Tennis Federation (DTTB): • Oversaw the acceptance of the final four National Association member applications • Increased overall revenue for the DTTB – taking the total number to 226 and ensuring Table Tennis is truly global with • Directed the successful 2006 and 2012 every nation in the world represented by World Table Tennis Championships, the a National Association 2009 European Championships, numerous World Cups and an annual World Tour • Significantly increased development event (the German Open) – all of which investment, which led to a record number were well-managed and commercially of coaches and umpires around the world successful • Delivered a new ‘Governance and Ethics • Led the German team to medals at Code’ which was recently approved by the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 the ITTF Executive Committee Olympic Games • Strengthened and firmly applied ITTF’s • Presided over a review of elite athlete anti-doping practices and procedures performance and implemented changes • Successfully signed Seamaster as title which brought an unprecedented number sponsor of the ITTF World Tour – one of medals and international success of the largest sponsorship deals in • Developed and implemented the ITTF’s history anti-doping code of the DTTB • Ensured, for the first time ever, that a part • Established successful Corporate Social of the ITTF World Tour sponsorship has Responsibility programmes, which have been allocated to help develop the sport been active since 2006. These campaigns internationally ensured regular funding was distributed • Increased ITTF World Tour prize money from the DTTB to support ITTF development to new, record-high levels programmes and bilateral initiatives between Germany and African nations • Launched ITTF’s new website • Oversaw the construction and expansion • Enhanced and promoted ITTF’s social and of the German Table Tennis Centre in digital media channels to exceed 1.8 million Düsseldorf in 2006 online fans – making the ITTF one of the top three most-followed International Federations • Implemented communications strategies that saw the ITTF break Olympic Games TV viewing, digital and social media records at Rio 2016 MY COMMITMENT TO YOU It has been my great honour Above everything else, I am a Table Tennis Now I am delighted to present to you future for the ITTF and all National and privilege to serve you fan and player and through my many years my Manifesto for Presidency of the ITTF. Associations. I recognise, however, this working in our great sport, I have dedicated This document expresses my unique vision can only be achieved by working in close as ITTF President since 2014. my time and energy to ensuring Table Tennis and plans to consolidate the excellent work partnership with every Continental and has a prosperous present and future. Now, that has been achieved to date and details National Association. I am committed to In that time, I believe we, the global Table as a candidate standing for election as ITTF how I believe we can make Table Tennis making sure this happens. Tennis family, have achieved excellent President in May, you have my absolute and reach even greater heights. success and it is my determined ambition unwavering commitment that I will carry out I am fully focused on the role of ITTF to continue to create more players and fans the pledges I make to guarantee the ITTF My Manifesto is also an opportunity to President and I will never be distracted from and drive forward the development of the goes from strength to strength and that present myself to you and show my the key task of developing, promoting and sport around the world. Table Tennis thrives for generations more. character, my values and illustrate the protecting the interests of global Table way I would lead the ITTF with integrity, Tennis. My objective is to deliver value to As the current ITTF President, I would like to I believe I am the right person to lead the transparency and dignity. If I have the the National Associations – no matter their acknowledge and pay tribute to all the hard ITTF at this crucial time and deliver great honour of being elected President of the size, history or sporting record. work undertaken over many years by each benefits to all National Associations ITTF, my term in office would be guided by and every National Association to advance because I proudly served as President the principles of openness, collaboration As someone who is dedicated to and has a our sport. In addition, I would like to thank of the German Table Tennis Federation for and constructive dialogue. core passion for Table Tennis, I believe I am the great team of staff and volunteers at the more than 10 years. With this track-record, the right person to guide the ITTF through ITTF who also work tirelessly to promote and I know the opportunities, challenges and With my record of more than 15 years the next stage of its global journey, unlock develop Table Tennis globally. Without all the daily workings of a National Association. leading National and International Table the immense potential of our sport, engage this wonderful support, the ITTF and its This invaluable experience leading a Tennis Associations, I will bring experience, more players and fans and deliver powerful continental and national bodies would very successful Federation means I truly credibility and an urgent sense of purpose commercial and marketing benefits for the not be in the healthy position we presently understand the support each Member to the ITTF at an important time for our whole Table Tennis family – all conducted occupy and we would not be able to needs to develop and succeed. sport. Also, with my professional background in the spirit of trust, optimism and sporting provide the tools and benefits to help our in sports law, I will be strategic, innovative friendship. Table Tennis stakeholders grow further. and creative in order to deliver a bright MY KEY MANIFESTO PILLARS My campaign for ITTF presidency is defined by seven key pillars underpinned by a comprehensive series “If I have the honour of of proposals that will guide me, should I have the being elected President honour of being elected in May. I see myself as the of the ITTF, my term in ‘evolutionary’ candidate – someone who respects office would be guided the rich traditions of our sport, but also has an eye on by the principles of the future and embraces innovation and fresh thinking. openness, collaboration and constructive dialogue. Fuelling the development of Table Tennis 01 and empowering all National Associations ” Setting the highest standards of governance, 02 integrity and transparency Ensuring stability, continuity and 03 positive Olympic/IOC relations Maximising commercial 04 and marketing opportunities Enhancing the presentation 05 of our sport Engaging our audiences digitally 06 and attracting younger fans Developing Para 07 Table Tennis FUELLING THE DEVELOPMENT OF TABLE TENNIS AND EMPOWERING ALL NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS I am immensely proud as I want to see the continued growth of I believe Table Tennis has a thriving future President that the ITTF is the Table Tennis and, working closely with and this confidence is based on the our Continental Federations and National global spread of events on our international largest International Sports Associations, I pledge to: calendar. The ITTF World Tour, Challenge Federation with 222 National Tour and World Cups, as well as our regional Associations. • Invest more human and financial resources projects, now involves all continents and we in our successful programmes to help were treated to an exciting conclusion at the It is a great responsibility and honour to achieve even greater development goals Seamaster Qatar 2016 Grand Finals in Doha. lead the ITTF and serve all our Members so This was in addition to the other World Class they can grow further and help Table Tennis • Deliver targeted support through more events we saw in 2016. prosper. I am delighted that we continue equipment, better training and improved to approve and welcome new National continental commercial agreements to The great diversity of locations and Federations – therefore fulfilling my help empower National Associations venues around the world showing the desire commitment to support the broader with limited resources to host ITTF events highlights the strength development of Table Tennis in every of interest in the sport and the potential to part of the world. • Expand the group of leading Table Tennis accelerate growth to new territories. This nations so we continuously improve the year, we can look forward to an amazing Most recently, it was wonderful that the quality and excitement of our elite new Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour and ITTF Executive Committee decided to competitions. I want to work closely with Challenge Series, which will provide a great endorse four new Member applications leading Table Tennis countries like China competition platform for athletes around from Bahamas, Cape Verde, Eritrea and so collectively we can support the the world.