OTOČEC, 2013 ITTF World Cadet Challenge 26thOctober to 3rd November We are winning together. I Feel Team Table of Contents

1. ITTF President’ s Message

2. STTA President’ s Message

3. Mayor’s Welcome

4. Novo mesto –Town of Situlae

5. Tournament profile

Published by: Slovenian Table Tennis Association, Celovška cesta 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, phone: + 386 1 4397560, fax: + 386 1 4331142, e-mail: [email protected], web: www.ntzs.si. Design by: Matjaž Švab@Aleš Šenk s.p . Text by: Matija Krnc, Sajda Slatinšek. Photographs by: STO, Dunja Wedam, Tomo Jeseničnik, U. Trnkoczy, D. Mladenovič, Matej Vranič, B. Bajželj, A. Fevžer, B. Kladnik, J. Skok, B. Jakse, S. Jersic, B. Kladnik, M. Staples and Slovenian Table Tennis Association. Translation by: Gaj Vidmar, PhD. Printing: Tiskarna Vesel. Printed 200 copies. 2

ITTF President’s Message Predsednikova poslanica

t is with great pleasure that the ITTF welcomed the ednarodna namiznoteniška zveza (ITTF) je z initiative of the Slovenian Table Tennis veseljem sprejela pobudo Namiznoteniške I Association (STTA) offering to host the 2013 Mzveze Slovenije (NTZS), da bi gostila Svetovni World Cadet Challenge. kadetski izziv za leto 2013. The STTA has a lot of experience and knowledge in NTZS ima veliko izkušenj in znanja glede prirejanja hosting international table tennis events, as it hosted mednarodnih namiznoteniških dogodkov, saj je vrsto several World Tour (Pro-Tour) events over the years. let gostila tekmovanja World Tour (prej Pro-Tour). S With the ITTF’s World Cadet Challenge, the STTA Svetovnim kadetskim izzivom se je NTZS pridružila has joined the ITTF in its quest to provide world-class prizadevanjem ITTF, da nudimo tekmovalne competitive opportunities to the next generation of možnosti najvišje ravni naslednji generaciji najboljših top players in the world. namiznoteniških igralcev na svetu. The Cadet Challenge is a unique event combining a Svetovni kadetski izziv je posebno tekmovanje, ki team competition challenge amongst the Continents združuje moštveno tekmovanje med celinami s with individual competition amongst the cadet posamičnim tekmovanjem med kadeti. To je players. This is a showcase of the future landscape of predstavitev prihodnosti mednarodne podobe international table tennis talents. namiznoteniških talentov. Cadet players, aged 15 years and less, will gather from Kadetinje in kadeti, stari 15 let ali manj, se bodo zbrali all corners of the world, representing every continent z vseh koncev sveta in predstavljali vse celine ter and many national associations for collective training mnoge nacionalne zveze na skupnem treningu in na as well as serious competition. The ITTF is confident resnem tekmovanju. ITTF je prepričana, da bo z that with excellence in staging events, the STTA wil odlično organiziranim tekmovanjem nudila našim provide to our young players the best possible mladim igralkam in igralcem najboljše možne pogoje conditions during the week-long event. med enotedenskim dogodkom. On behalf of the ITTF, I would like to thank the V imenu ITTF bi se rad zahvalil NTZS, lokalnim Slovenia Table Tennis Associations, the Otocec local organizatorjem na Otočcu in našim sponzorjem organizing committee, as well as our sponsors (JOOLA, Butterfly in STAG) za njihov dragocen JOOLA, Butterfly and STAG for their valuable prispevek. contribution. Nastopajočim in njihovim trenerjem želim vse To the players and the coaches I wish you all the best najboljše na tekmovanju in prepričan sem, da bodo in your competition and I am sure that you will enjoy uživali v gostoljubju, ki jim ga bodo nudili prijazni the great hospitality provided by our gracious hosts. gostitelji.

Adham Sharara, Adham Sharara, President of the International Predsednik Mednarodne Table Tennis Federation namiznoteniške zveze STTA President’s Message

am very happy and honoured that the Slovenian Table Tennis Association (STTA) will again host a top-level Isporting event of international scope, this time in co- Predsednikova poslanica operation with the Table Tennis Club from Novo mesto and for the youngest generation. The unofficial veliko veselje in čast mi je, da bo Namiznoteniška zveza world cadet championships will include the continental Slovenije znova, tokrat v sodelovanju s soorganizatorjem teams, the most promising young players from all over the VNTK Krko iz Novega mesta, organizirala vrhunsko world, and the hosting national team of Slovenia. športno prireditev svetovnih razsežnosti, tokrat za najmlajše. The Challenge belongs to the very elite of the events held Neuradnega svetovnega prvenstva za kadete se bodo udeležile under the auspices of the International Table Tennis reprezentance kontinentov, mladi upi svetovnega namiznega Federation (ITTF), because many of the present World tenisa in kot domačini reprezentanca Slovenije. and Olympic champions had honed their skills in the Tekmovanje sodi v samo elito tekmovanj pod okriljem Svetovne World Cadet Challenge. The event always starts with a namiznoteniške federacije, saj so se številni sedanji svetovni in training camp where excellent experts and foreign coaches olimpijski prvaki kalili na teh tekmovanjih, ki se vedno začnejo s make sure that we must not fear for the development and trening kampom, na katerem odlični strokovnjaki in trenerji iz progress of table tennis talents in the future. tujine skrbijo, da se za razvoj in napredek namiznoteniških We will be able to demonstrate again our organisational talentov tudi v prihodnje ni treba bati. effectiveness and co-ordination of the team that is Ponovno bomo lahko dokazali našo organizacijsko učinkovitost preparing the vent, and to show our hospitality towards in ubranost ekipe, ki tekmovanje pripravlja in hkrati pokazali našo all the participants. All of this is also strengthening the gostoljubnost do vseh sodelujočih. Vse to nam hkrati pomaga image of the STTA on the international sport scene, tudi pri dobrih referencah Namiznoteniške zveze Slovenije na including our position within the ITTF. We are mednarodnem športnem zemljevidu kot pri ITTF. Prepričani convinced that we will not disappoint them, because we smo, da jih tudi tokrat ne bomo razočarali, saj smo bili vse doslej have long been maintaining the reputation of excellent znani kot odlični organizatorji in tudi gostitelji. organisers and hosts. Namiznoteniška zveza Slovenije s tem mednarodnim By organising this event, the STTA is also following the tekmovanjem sledi tudi Strategiji razvoja namiznega tenisa v Strategy of Development of Table Tennis in Slovenia in Sloveniji, tako na področju vrhunskega kot rekreativnega športa, terms of professional sport as well as accessible sport for ki je idealen in dostopen za mlade. In tokrat bodo prav najmlajši v everyone, including the youth. And this time it is the ospredju. youngest generation who will be under the spotlight. Vsem igralkam in igralcem želim dobro počutje, odlično igro, I wish to all the athletes a pleasant stay and excellent table slovenski kadetski reprezentanci, ki nas je letos tako navdušila, tennis action. And I wish that the Slovenian Cadet Team, pa ponovitev dobrih iger. who have given us so much reason for enthusiasm this Mag. Marjan Hribar, year, will repeat their great performance. Predsednik Namiznoteniške zveze Slovenije Marjan Hribar, MSc President of the Slovenian Table Tennis Association 4

Mayor’s welcome

ear athletes, esteemed organisers, dear table Županova dobrodošlica tennis fans, Welcome to Novo mesto, the capital D of the picturesque Dolenjska region. I am proud poštovani igralci, cenjeni prireditelji pokala, dragi that we are hosting you in a city of sport, which is ljubitelji namiznega tenisa, dobrodošli v Novem developing various disciplines and helping develop many S mestu, prestolnici slikovite in razgibane top athletes while demonstrating an extraordinary support Dolenjske. Ponosen sem, da vas gostimo v mestu športa, for sport from the city population and providing ceaseless ki razvija številne športne discipline ter izoblikuje promotion of sport, thus giving sport its proper value in marsikaterega vrhunskega športnika, na drugi strani pa z the local environment. The multitude of sport disciplines izjemno podporo občanov ter nenehno promocijo daje provides a richer choice for the young people at the pravo veljavo športu v tem okolju. Raznovrstne športne competitive level as well as to the older population at the discipline bogatijo možnosti izbire predvsem mladim ter leisure level. At the same time, it forces us to constantly tudi starejšim, ki rekreativno preživljajo svoj prosti čas, maintain and upgrade the sport infrastructure in the city hkrati pa nas zavezujejo, da neprestano urejamo in and its surrounding. Naturally, our actions cannot always posodabljamo športno infrastrukturo v mestu in njegovi follow the pace of our desires, but we are continuously okolici. Seveda nam to ne uspeva v takšni meri, kot bi si making small steps in the right direction. The general želeli, a z majhnimi koraki kljub vsemu vztrajno stopamo development of sport and the associated infrastructure is v pravo smer. Vsesplošno razvijanje športa in seveda tudi namely one of the main strategic goals for improving the z njim povezane infrastrukture je namreč eno od conditions for professional athletes and teams as well as for temeljnih strateških usmeritev za izboljšanje pogojev raising the general quality of life for the inhabitants and the dela profesionalnih športnikov in ekip, pa tudi za dvig visitors of the City of Novo mesto. obče bivalne kakovosti občanov in ostalih obiskovalcev Allow me to use this opportunity to sincerely thank the Mestne občine Novo mesto. local table tennis club Krka from Novo mesto, who Ob tej priložnosti se iskreno zahvaljujem domačemu accepted the challenge of organising the World Cadet Namiznoteniškemu klubu Krka, ki je sprejel izziv Challenge. This is another one in the series of organizacije svetovnega kadetskega pokala. Ta namreč international sport events that are helping to clearly draw predstavlja še enega v vrsti mednarodnih in odmevnih the position of Novo mesto on the map of Slovenian and športnih tekmovanj, ki krepijo položaj Novega mesta na European sport centres. Thank you so much for your zemljevidu slovenskih, pa tudi evropskih športnih efforts and your invaluable contribution to the city and to središč. Zares iskrena hvala za vaš trud in neprecenljiv table table tennis. I wish to all the athletes a pleasant stay in prispevek mestu ter predvsem temu športu. the hills of Dolenjska along the river Krka, and the best of Vsem športnikom pa želim obilo dobrega počutja med luck in their competition. Naturally, I wish that we will dolenjskimi griči ob reki Krki ter mnogo športne sreče, soon meet again. seveda z željo, da se kmalu spet snidemo tukaj.

Alojzij Muhič Alojzij Muhič Mayor of Novo mesto Župan Mestne občine Novo mesto Novo mesto -Thetown of Situlae

Foto: Lenarčič/Slovenia.info 6

Novo mesto, also called the metropolis of Dolenjska, was founded in the year 1365, when the Austrian Archduke Rudolf IV granted city rights to the town at the bend of the Krka River. Officially called Rudolsfwerd, it grew as Novo mesto and soon became an administration, cultural, religious and business center of Dolenjska. Novo mesto is situated in the midst of the hilly landscape of Dolenjska, embraced by the Krka River. Abundance of nature, tradition and culture can be a real experience for every visitor of Novo mesto. The Krka Valley, located just above Novo mesto, is in the opinion of many the most beautiful river valley in Slovenia with tender banks, picturesque rapids and natural dams which emphasize its nature. Special attractions include numerous mills and castles which, combined with the landscape seem anachronistic in our present day. You will find the stay in our town pleasant. You can select among a variety of viewpoints, pilgrimage trails, sports and other facilities and forests rich with walking paths, hunting possibilities, forest fruits for picking, and fishing. In the town you will find numerous monuments, and in the Museum of Dolenjska, an amazing archaeological wealth as well. Novo mesto invites you to visit it. And if you will, and if you get to know it, you will certainly fall in love with it, because there is not a town as beautiful, sensual and desirable as Novo mesto. Foto: D. Mladenovič/Slovenia.info Tournament profile

1. DATES AND PLACE: 7. SLOVENIAN TABLE TENNIS Saturday, 26th October – Sunday, 3rd November, 2013 // Otočec, ASSOCIATION: Slovenia Celovska cesta 25, SI -1000, Slovenia Tel: +386 1 439 75 60 2. EVENTS: Fax: +386 1 433 11 42 Team, doubles and singles events for girls and boys E–mail: [email protected]

3. ELIGIBILITY/AGES: 8. ITTF COMPETITION MANAGER: World Cadet Challenge is open to selected players born on or after 1st Raul Calin January, 1998 and being eligible according to ITTF rules to compete in Tel: +34 616 08 11 20 representation of their respective national associations (Handbook 3.8). E–mail: [email protected] Maximum one player per gender per ITTF affiliated Association in each continental team except North America, which is allowed with up to 9. ITTF INTERNATIONAL REFEREE: two players per gender. Matija Krnc Tel: +386 31 323 331 4. OFFICIAL HOTEL: E–mail: [email protected] Hotel Sport, Grajska cesta 2, SI-8222, Slovenia 10. EQUIPMENT: Tel: +386 73 84 86 00 Official Table: Joola 2000-S (Blue) Web: http://www.terme-krka.si/en/otocec/hotel/sport/ Official Ball: Butterfly*** (white) Flooring: Stag (Red) 5. VENUE: SPORT AND RECREATION CENTRE OTOČEC Grajska cesta 2, SI-8222, Slovenia Tel: +386 73 84 86 56 Web:http://www.terme-krka.si/en/otocec/sportni_center/sportni-dnevi/

6. LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: Tournament Director: Sajda Slatinšek Tel: +386 1 439 75 60 Fax:+386 1 433 11 42 E–mail: [email protected] 8

Programme

26th - 28th October 9:00 - 18:00: Training camp 29th October 9:00: Opening ceremony 10.00 - 12:00: Team events (boys and girls) 15:30 - 20:00: Team events (boys and girls) 30th October 09:30 - 14:00: Team event (boys and girls semi finals) 16:00: Team events (girls final) 17:45: Team events (boys final) 19:30: Award ceremony team events 31st October - I Feel Slovenia day Visit to Postojna Cave

1st November 09:30 - 13:30: Individual events (singles and doubles) 16:30 - 19:30: Individual events (singles and doubles) 2nd November 09:30 - 13:30: Individual events (singles and doubles) 16:30 - 20:00 Individual events (singles and doubles) 3rd November 09:30 - 13:30: Individual events (singles and doubles) 16:00: Girls doubles final 16:30: Boys doubles final 17:00: Girls singles final 17:35: Boys singles final 18:15: Award ceremony individual events Organizing committee 2013ITTF World Cadet Challenge Otočec, 26th October to 3rd November 2013

Name and Surname Function Representative of Marjan Hribar Presindent STTA Tomaž Kralj Vice President NTK Krka Sajda Slatinšek Director STTA Danijel Šarlah Member STTA Matija Krnc Member STTA ITTF representatives Primož Potočar Member Terme Krka 2013ITTF World Cadet Challenge Andraž Zupanc Member Terme Krka Otočec, 26th October to 3rd November 2013 Uroš Slatinšek Member NTK Krka Jože Urh Member STTA Name and Surname Function Adham Sharara ITTF President Patrick Gillmann ITTF Executive Vice President Honor committee Petra Sörling ITTF Executive Vice President 2013ITTF World Cadet Challenge Dennis Davis ITTF Junior Commission Chairman Otočec, 26th October to 3rd November 2013 Judit Farago ITTF CEO Glenn Tepper ITTF Deputy CEO Name and Surname Function Representative of Mikael Andersson ITTF Senior Consultant Alojzij Muhič President MO Novo mesto Polona Čehovin Sušin ITTF Director of Education & Training Jože Berus Vice President Terme Krka Raul Calin ITTF Events & Olympic Games Expert Jože Colarič Member Krka Matt Pound ITTF Promotion Manager Janez Škrabec Member Riko ITTF Elite Camp Expert Jože Mermal Member BTC Bojan Albreht Member Zlatarne Celje Igor Berce Member Brinox Janez Kocijančič Member OKS Marko Košmrl Member BMW Makoma Andrej Kavšek Member Tilia 10 The participating Teams

Team Asia

Team Africa Xu Jun HEA F CHN Park Jihyun COA M KOR Rabie Youssef HEA M EGY Shi Xiaoyu COA M CHN Fawzy Tarek COA M EGY Chuqin PLA M CHN Omoniyi Adedotun COA M NGR Hwang Minha PLA M KOR Elhakim Karim PLA M EGY Izumo Takuto PLA M JPN Lignandzi Michel PLA M CGO Kwan Man Ho PLA M HKG Antonio Alessio PLA M ANG Li Yiran PLA F CHN Babafemi Babatunde PLA M NGR Ito Mima PLA F JPN Yousry Amira PLA F EGY Kim Jiho PLA F KOR Oribamise Esther PLA F NGR Mak Tze Wing PLA F HKG Ben Cheikh Mariem PLA F TUN Albino Isabel PLA F ANG

Team Europe Team Latin America

De Soysa Lilamani HEA F SUI Esnard Carlos HEA M ESA Skierski Piotr COA M POL Koatz Pablo COA M ARG Batinic Branka COA F CRO Urrutia José Luis COA M CHI Polansky Tomas PLA M CZE Riofrio Emiliano PLA M ECU Khanin Aliaksandr PLA M BLR Cifuente Horacio PLA M ARG Chaplygin Maxim PLA M RUS Yokota Gustavo PLA M BRA Levenko Andreas PLA M AUT Liyau Juan PLA M PER Diaconu Adina PLA F ROU Nakada Leticia PLA F BRA Ho Tin-Tin PLA F ENG Díaz Adriana PLA F PUR Malanina Maria PLA F ROU Ortega Daniela PLA F CHI Lung Lisa PLA F BEL Galvez Eunice PLA F ECU Team North America Team Oceania

Kiesenhofer Anton HEA M CAN Brown Michael HEA M AUS Gheorghe Emilia COA F USA Powell David COA M AUS Surprenant Maxime COA F CAN Gauthier Cathy COA F NCL Chodri Kunal PLA M USA Duffy Jake PLA M AUS Jha Kanak PLA M USA Shu Dean PLA M NZL Moran Alexander PLA M CAN Park Young Jun PLA M FIJ Luo Michael PLA M CAN ShanErwin PLA M PYF Guan Angela PLA F USA Rao Ruofei PLA F NZL Wang Amy PLA F USA Lai Van Lea PLA F NCL Zheng Cherry PLA F CAN Morton Darcie PLA F AUS Liu Jiabao PLA F CAN Abel Rosanna PLA F VAN

Team World Hopes

Pidl Zita HEA F HUN Team Slovenia Papic Dejan COA M CAN Olah Zsuzsa COA M HUN Pletea Cristian PLA M ROU Urh Jože HEA M SLO Huang Dominic PLA M AUS Ojsteršek Drnovšek Vesna COA F SLO Panagitgun Yanapong PLA M THA Petar Matej COA M SLO Liu Victor PLA M USA Jorgic Darko PLA M SLO Kallberg Christina PLA F SWE Paulin Erik PLA M SLO Takahashi Bruna PLA M BRA Hribar Peter PLA M SLO Cuba Valeria PLA F PER CvetkoTilen PLA M SLO Taha Eman PLA M EGY Paradiž Gaja PLA F SLO Pavčnik Tamara PLA F SLO Naglič Nika PLA F SLO Sterchi Katrina PLA F SLO 12

The participating countries

1. ALB Albania 25. HUN Hungary 2. ANG Angola 26. IRI Iran 3. ARG Argentina 27. ISR Israel 4. AUS Australia 28. ITA Italy 5. AUT Austria 29. JPN Japan 6. BAR Barbados 30. KOR Korea Republic 7. BEL Belgium 31. NCL New Caledonia 8. BLR 32. NED Netherlands 9. BRA Brazil 33. NGR Nigeria 10. CAN Canada 34. NZL New Zealand 11. CGO Congo Brazzaville 35. PER Peru 12. CHI Chile 36. POL Poland 13. CHN 37. PUR Puerto Rico 14. CRO 38. PYF Tahiti 15. CZE Czech Republic 39. ROU Romania 16. ECU Ecuador 40. RUS Russia 17. EGY Egypt 41. SLO Slovenia 18. ENG England 42. SUI Switzerland 19. ESA El Salvador 43. SRB Serbia 20. ESP Spain 44. SWE Sweden 21. FIJ Fiji 45. THA Thailand 22. FRA France 46. TUN Tunisia 23. GER Germany 47. USA United States of America 24. HKG Hong Kong 48. VAN Vanuatu Starting list o unm ae / o unm ae M/F Name Surname No. M/F Name 1 Team Africa Surname No. 2 3 4 Team Asia 9 Team Europe 10 12 11 13 Team LatinAmerica 14 15 17 Team NorthAmerica 16 18 22 21 Team Oceania 20 19 32 31 30 29 Team Slovenia Team WorldHopes 24 23 8 7 6 5 28 27 26 25 lai ai M Karim Elhakim innz ihl M Michel Lignandzi noi lsi M Alessio Antonio aaeiBbtne M Babatunde Babafemi wn a oM M M M ManHo Takuto Minha Chuqin Kwan Izumo Hwang Wang oasyTmsM Tomas Polansky hnnAikad M Aliaksandr Khanin eek nesM M Anders Maxim Levenko Chaplygin ifi mlaoM Emiliano Riofrio iune oai M Horacio Cifuentes ooaGsaoM Gustavo Yokota hdiKnlM M Kunal Juan Chodri Liyau h aa M Kanak Jha h enM M Dean M Jake Michael Shu M Duffy Alexander Luo Moran vtoTlnM M M M Tilen Peter M Erik Darko Cvetko Hribar Victor Paulin M Jorgic M M M Dominic Cristian Yanapong Liu Panagitgun M Huang Erwin Pletea YoungJun Shan Park Team Africa 33 34 35 Team Asia 36 Team Europe 40 39 38 37 41 42 Team LatinAmerica 44 43 45 46 Team NorthAmerica 47 49 48 Team Oceania 50 54 53 52 51 Team Slovenia Team WorldHopes 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 osyAia F Amira Yousry rbms shrF Esther Oribamise e hihMre F Mariem Ben Cheikh lioIae F Isabel Albino a TeWn F TzeWing Jiho Mak Kim Ito Li icn dn F Adina Diaconu Ho ugLs F F Lisa Maria Lung Malanina aaaLtcaF Leticia Nakada izAraaF Adriana Diaz it aiaF Janina Nieto unAgl F Angela F Daniela Guan Ortega agAyF Amy Wang a ufiF F Ruofei Lea F Jiabao Lai Van Rao Cherry Liu Zheng alčNk F F F F Katrina Nika F Tamara Sterchi Gaja F Naglič Pavčnik Eman F Paradiž Valeria F F Taha Bruna F Christina Cuba Takahashi Rosanna Kallberg Darcie Abel Morton iaF F Mima Yiran i-i F Tin-Tin F F 14

Competition management & Umpires

ITTF Competition Manager Calin Raul ITTF ESP Referee Krnc Matija IR BB SLO Deputy Referees Mitrić Milana IR BB SRB Abascia Andrea IR BB ITA Racket Control dr. Vidmar Gaj IR BB SLO Computer support Šuštaršič Aleš BB SLO Umpires manager Krmelj Milana BB SLO

International Umpires Gjata Klodian WB ALB Grantverger Ejla WB CRO Tandarić Tea WB CRO Novak Jiri WB CZE Kafka Pavel WB CZE Angenon Nico WB FRA Gewiese Bernd WB GER Dietrich Willi WB GER Erdey Pal WB HUN Fodor Robert WB HUN Enteshari Najafabadi Hamid WB IRI Poddobny Yuri WB ISR Pulina Emilia WB ITA De Giorgi Massimo WB ITA Versteegt Truus WB NED Pavel Eugen WB ROU ZARYANOV Alexandr WB RUS Shulga Galina WB RUS Živić Jovan WB SRB Vlaškalić Gordana WB SRB Gašperič Mitja WB SLO Muzik Janez WB SLO Šavs Marjan WB SLO Zadkovič Vili WB SLO Zafoštnik Marijan WB SLO ITTF World Cadet Challenge Venue

Hoteli Otočec - Hotel Šport**** beginners' and advanced tennis lessons, Grajska cesta 2, 8222 Otočec, Slovenija matches, tournaments, camps. Also one of Informacije in rezervacije Slovenia's Davis Cup venues. T: 07/ 38 48 600, 07/ 38 48 900 F: 07/ 38 48 605 Preparation training for E: [email protected] professionals and sports enthusiasts and the organization of competitions Great location: a starting point for many A host of sports facilities, quality outdoor activities. Classified as a hiking and accommodation, possibility of a customised cycling hotel. Also suitable for business and diet – Otočec is a great place for preparation sports events. training. In recent years, Otočec has evolved into a Hotel true sports hub that caters for sports All 86 hotel rooms have either a balcony or a enthusiasts and professional athletes alike. terrace. There is satellite TV, a telephone, It has excellent facilities for table tennis, radio, minibar, toilet, shower, hairdryer. Two badminton, tennis and martial arts – for all suites with separate sleeping and living areas. skill levels, for any part of the sports season. The hotel features a conference hall with capacity more then 200 people Here's what we offer: Free wireless Internet access (WLAN) • basic preparation training, is available throughout the hotel. • an isolation area, • sparring partners, Sports centre • multi-purpose outdoor sports facilities, A multipurpose sports hall. A full-service • an indoor sports hall, sports centre for individual training, • regeneration facilities, • relaxation in the wellness centres at nearby spas (Terme Šmarješke Toplice – 4km away) • a rich schedule of organised activities. 16

Castle Oto cec inthe MedievalKrkaRiver Valley

Krka River valley is also known as the valley of island's energy attracts Lady Eleonora and other castles. Many noblemen have recognized the members of Zavod Svitar, whose profession is to exceptional fertility of the land along the river and revive the castles' history. From the nearby Castle built dozens of mideval castles and mansions. Struga, where they arranged their rennaissance Their magnificent homes served as the centres of home and a history museum, they over and over administrative authority and cultural again return to Castle Otočec, the image of which development of the valley for many years. is their endless source of inspiration to recreate The most famous and special among the castles of history. Krka valley is Castle Otočec, and the Cadet To present the flourishing times of Castle Otočec Challenge will take place right next to it. the historical noblemen will join us at the Mentioned in old documents as early as 1252, it Challenge. Their presence will give the event a stands rounded with its defensive wall and towers special charm and provide you with an on an ideal islad in the middle of the Krka River. opportunity to meet them and shake hands with In its hallways and on its lawns one can still see Slovene noble past, in the same way as a good Cate mideval ladies and knights. Not actors, but real game will provide you with an opportunity to ones, even though in 21st century. The power of shake hands with your future! Slovenian Table Tennis Association MILESTONES 1928-2013 During the national liberation war, more than 20 table tennis players lost their lives. The last victim was the national champion and doctoral law student Neda Gerzinič, who was tortured and murder by quislings The first official National Championship of Yugoslavia took in May 1945. place in 1930 in Murska Sobota. At the age of only 17, the local 1930 hero Janez Nemec won all three titles: in singles, in doubles Note: In the memory of the fallen Partisan poet and with his brother Ludvik, and with Ms. Jonaš in mixed doubles. table tennis enthusiast Karel Destovnik Kajuh (1922- 1944), the large international Kajuh Memorial Tournament Note: In order to become the champion of the Sava Province had been held in Ljubljana for many years. 1945 (now Croatia) and the Drava Province (now Slovenia) the next year, Janez Nemec had to overcome Worm, Zingar and other "unknown" players, who were actually Ernest Nagy, Tone Dečman, Gerzinič brothers and other high-school students from Ljubljana forced to participate under assumed names because otherwise they would have been expelled from school due to forbidden sports activity.

Four guys from Murska Sobota (Nemec brothers, Nadai in Valyi) reached Čakovec after a long journey by train in the summer of 1928. In the legendary 1928 Legenstein café they defeated the local table tennis team by 9:7. This was the first official match of Slovenian table tennis players. Hence, 1928 is recognised by the Slovenian Table Tennis Association At the World Championships in Cairo, the 19-year old Maks as the official birth year of "ping-pong" in Slovenia. Marinko won the first Slovenian medal at major international events

1939 - silver in the team event as member of the Yugoslav team. Note: In 1928, the price of a table tennis ball was four then dinars, which was an equivalent of 16 bread rolls. Note: Among the other team members were 16-year old Milan Lazar Fortunately, the Nemec family father was a store owner and high-school graduate Žarko Dolinar (winning bronze in singles behind generous to his sons. Bergmann and Erlich). Prof. Dr. Dolinar, one of the all-time greatest table tennis champions, went to high school in Ljubljana and considered himself half-Slovenian throughout his lifetime on that account, so he always spoke Slovene whenever in Slovenia or talking to Slovenians. 18

The efforts of Slovenian table tennis officials paid off. The International Table Tennis Federation entrusted Ljubljana

1965 with organising the World Championships – SPENT 65. The capital of Slovenia got a major sporting event and a new sports At the European Championships in Lyon, France, hall – the Tivoli Hall. won the doubles title partnering the future Croatian superstar Antun Stipančić; both also Note: The Chinese duel in the men's singles finals between won bronze in teams. and Li Furong, in which the former eventually prevailed, thrilled millions of TV spectators and the crowd in Tivoli, Note: Two years later in Moscow, Ištvan Korpa lost the thus contributing greatly to the popularity of table tennis in singles finals to the legendary Swede Hans Alser, thereby Slovenia, Europe and worldwide. winning silver like in the team event with Yugoslavia. Another Slovenian winner of a medal at EC was Miran Savnik with bronze in teams in Novi Sad in 1974. 1968

Slovenian players won three medals at the European After a thirty-year break a medal at World Championships: Janez Teran, Edvard Vecko and Ištvan Championships came in the team event in 1962 Korpa gold for Yugoslavia in teams, Teran (with 1969 Munich, where Edvard Vecko and Ištvan Korpa were Marković) gold in doubles, and Korpa and Vecko silver members of the bronze-winning Yugoslav team. in doubles. In the same year, Vecko (in singles) and Korpa (in doubles with Vecko) triumphed at the Note: Vecko's success was later equalled by there European Youth Championships in Bled, the first other Yugoslav team members from Slovenia Miran major international table tennis event held in Slovenia. Savnik (Calcutta, 1975, silver), Jernej Zalaznik (New Delhi, 1987, bronze) and Robert Smrekar (Chiba, 1991, silver, the last Slovenian participation in a Yugoslav team). Note: Due to Cold War political tensions, players from Western Europe did not participate at the EC, but this does not diminish the Slovenian success. 1975 his way towards stardom in the senior ranks. fabulous junior ranks of and announced Tivoli Hall in Ljubljana. The EYC marked the end of the Youth Championships in 1993, both also played in the Slovenia include Europe TOP-12 in 1988 and the European was heldintheTivoliHall1984. MINISPENT 75event.Another Yugoslavia byhostingtheinternational Table TennisChampionshipsorganisedin Ljubljana relivedthememoriesoffirstWorld Note: Other major international table tennis events in

1991 at theWorldChampionshipsinChiba,Japan. the lastcommonperformanceofbrilliantYugoslavteam Robert Smrekarreturnedwithasilvermedalinteamsfrom later with Slovenia gaining independence after the ten-day war. not felt yet, even though the end of Yugoslavia came only two months Note: National tensions between Slovenians, Croats and Serbs were ”

1992 sports as late as in 1998 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. at theOlympicGames–inBarcelona,Spain. Polona FrelihfromKranjwasthefirstplayertoperform FACTS AbOuT STTA: Note: Table tennis secured a place in the family of Olympic integrated Para Table TennisOne of the first associations with fully competitive table tennis inMore Slovenia; than 80 years of tradition of 43 clubs; More than 1000 registered Moreplayers; than 200,000 active players; Velenje hosted its first international tournament that would develop into Slovenian Open in 2000 and become part of the

1998 ITTF Pro Tour in 2005. With the total prize money of over 100.000 USD, it has lately become a regular attraction for the best table tennis players in the world, including the top stars from Europe and Asia. Rapid adaptation to the rule changes introduced by

Note: The last champion from Velenje 2011 is of China, the ITTF after the Sydney Olympics (40 mm ball, game until who defeated his senior colleague in the men's singles finals. 11 points, new service rule) was a challenge for Slovenian In the round of 16, Chuang Chih-Yuan from Chinese Taipei overcame the top Slovenian star Bojan Tokič by 4:3. Among ladies, Wu Yang of players, too. The game became tenser, with more decisive China overcame her teammate Li Xiaoxia in the singles finals. points and more frequent changes of serve.

Note: Another novelty during the first decade of the new millennium was team event replacing doubles at the Olympic Games in Beijing, but contrary to the hopes of the ITTF president Adham Sharara, the Chinese dominance has not ceased. 2000

Petra Dermastija became European Champion in cadet Mateja Pintar won gold at the Paralympic Games girls' singles. in Athens in the Women Class 3 category. 1994 2004 Note: Dermastija won four medals in total at the Note: Mateja Pintar and Andreja Dolinar have since European Youth Championships. The first medal for the continued collecting medals at the major event. They independent Slovenia had been won in 1992 by the junior girls' won gold in teams at the European Championships in team. Dermastija's success from Paris was equally surprisingly Kranjska Gora in 2006 and bronze in teams at the last repeated in 1996 in Frydek-Mistek by Martina Safran. World Championships in Korea in 2010. 2006 never really took full advantage of their historical success. who were coached by our foremost coaching expert Jože Mikeln, absolute categoryfortheindependentSlovenia. the firstmedalatcontinentalorworldtitleeventsin Championships inAarhus,Denmark,thuswinning Slovenian women’steamwonbronzeattheEuropean Note: Helena Halas, Martina Safran and Biljana Todorović,

2008 ranked players. Games inBeijingadditiontothehighest ten otherEuropeansasqualifiedfortheOlympic passing theOlympicQualificationsandjoining Bojan Tokičliveduptohislong-timedreamby might have even more in store for him and Slovenia. by reaching the last 32 and hopes that London 2012 respectively. Tokič parted with the Beijing Olympics and in the semifinals and finals, equalled by the two Chinese superstars Wang Hao He won one game against Ma Lin, which was only the second seed and winner-to-be Ma Lin from China. tournament, Tokič stood hardly any chance against Note: In the third round of the Olympic

2009 Aleksandar KarakaševićfromSerbia. medal inmen’sdoublesattheEuropean Championship,partnering Bojan Tokičreachedanothermilestonebywinningthebronze of Lundqvist and Gerell by a narrow margin in the quarterfinals. from repeating the success when they lost against the Swedish pairing

Note: At this year's EC in Ostrava they were only a few points away 2010 . partnered therisingGermanstar singles aswellindoubles,wherehe Istanbul, JanŽibratwonbronzein Championships. AtthelastEYCin the podiumatEuropeanYouth Our youngtalentscontinuereaching and eventual champion Franziska. event, Žibrat lost to his doubles partner Note: In the semifinals of the singles

2013 greatest success. milestone forSloveniantabletennisandoneofthe doubles andbronzemedalinmixeddoubles. Ostrava. DarkoJorgichavewonsilvermedalin medal attheEuropeanYouthChampionshipsin Paulin, TilenCvetko,AljazSmaljcelj)wonsilver Slovenian mensjuniorteam(DarkoJorgic,Erik Note: ThreemedalsforSloveniainOstravawas 22

Impressive Facts About Slovenia

Population (2013): 2.058.457 (144th in the world) Area: 20.273 km2 (153rd in the world) Currency: Euro Official language: Slovene (and Italian and Hungarian in the municipalities with Italian and Hungarian minority, respectively) President: borut Pahor Prime minister: Alenka bratušek Minister of sport: Jernej Pikalo, PhD EU accession: May 1st, 2004 NATO accession: March 29th, 2004 Religion: predominantly Roman Catholic Capital: Ljubljana (population: 280,278) Slovenia lies at the heart of Europe, where in Europe. Almost 60 % of its territory is the Alps and the Mediterranean meet the covered with forest and the number is Pannonian plains and the mysterious Karst. increasing as we plant 1,200,000 new trees To the north is Austria; to the east, Hungary; yearly. Remnants of virgin forests are still to be to the south, Croatia; and to the west, Italy. found, the largest in the Kočevje area. It is one of the richest countries in Europe in terms of Visit the seaside and the mountains in water. It has almost 27,000 kilometres of only one day, ring a bell and make a wish in rivers, streams and other watercourses. It also the picturesque island church at , has numerous thermal and mineral springs visit the world’s oldest vine and taste many and many subterranean waters. various and exquisite wines, relax yourself at the Slovenian spas or wellness centres with Approximately 8 % of Slovenia's territory is thermal springs, and enjoy World Veterans specially protected; the largest area with such Table Tennis Championships 2014 matches! a regime is the Triglav National Park with a surface area of 848 km2. The Škocjan Caves Slovenia is amongst the most biologically were entered on the World Heritage List at diverse countries in the world. Although it UNESCO in 1986, and the Sečovlje saltpans covers only 0.004% of the Earth’s surface, it is and Cerknica Lake are included on the home to more than 24,000 different animal Ramsar List of Wetlands of International

species. It is the third most forested country Importance. www.slovenia.info 24

It is world-famous for the Lipica stud farm, celebrated for its aristocratic Lipizzaners, which has been operating uninterruptedly since its foundation in 1580. The adult Lipizzaner horse is notable for its white colour and its remarkable learning ability.

Slovenia’s Karst Plateau has given its name to karst landscapes and karst phenomena all over the world. It was in the Slovenian Karst that experts first explained numerous karst features such as underground caves, valleys and sinks. Vilenica cave near Lokev is the oldest show cave in Europe. Tourists have been visiting it since 1633. Every year the Vilenica international literary prize is awarded in the cave’s ‘Ballroom’.

In 1998 Slovenia founded the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance. The activity of the Fund was initially limited to South-Eastern Europe but it has since grown into a worldwide organisation.

The world’s longest stone-arch railway bridge is the Solkan Bridge on the Bohinj line. The main arch has a span of 85 metres and the total length of the bridge is 219.7 metres.

The tallest industrial chimney in Europe is in Slovenia. This accolade goes to the chimney of the power station in Trbovlje, which is 362 metres high.

Slovene Davo Karničar was the first man to ski down Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Slovene ultra- marathon swimmer Martin Strel was the first man to successfully swim the Amazon, the Mississippi and the Yangtze.

For several years in a row Slovene school-leavers have won a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for dancing the largest synchronised quadrille in the world. This traditional school-leavers’ dance has been danced by over 26.700 school- leavers simultaneously on the streets of various towns around Slovenia. Visit Postojna cave Follow us via social media

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OTOČEC, SLOVENIA 2013 ITTF World Cadet Challenge 26thOctober to 3rd November

Slovenian Table Tennis Association, International Table Tennis Federation and TTC Krka Novo mesto thanks its sponsors and partners for their generous support:

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