Belgian Champion Says Table Tennis Needs Athlete Perspective

(ATR) Belgian table tennis great Jean-Michel Saive says he wants to bring the perspective of the athlete to the leadership of the International Table Tennis Federation.

Saive, a seven-time Olympian and former world number-one, is competing in this electoral match-up with Thomas Weikert from Germany, who is completing his first term in office.

The vote takes place May 31 in Duesseldorf, Germany where the 2017 Liebherr World Championships are taking place.

Weikert spoke to Around the Rings in an edition of ATRadio in the past week.

Saive, who declined the opportunity to record a podcast, has provided written responses to our questions.

ATR: Why are you running for election?

Jean-Michel Saive: Because I was always impassioned to defend the athlete’s voice on a high level; I was one of the founders of the CTTP (Club of Table Tennis Professionals) in the 90's because ITTF did not have at that time an Athletes' commission and we wanted to have our voice heard at the highest level.

I like when it’s a former top athlete who has been through all the way and in my case from the last division and coming from a small country to the first position in the world and backward to 2nd division and qualification hall. It always feels somehow logical and courageous when ex top athletes involve themselves in their sport after their careers. There are many examples in other sports: Athletics, Badminton, Rowing...

ATR: Is there an issue that drives you?

JMS: I really believe that Table Tennis has not yet reached the position it deserves. The progression margin for Table Tennis is still big in many, many countries. If I take the example of my country, table tennis had no big historical record and was not really considered as a "real sport". One of my biggest achievements which I am very proud of is playing matches in halls full of spectators with an incredible atmosphere, live on TV for hours and very impressive audience. This is a goal we should try to achieve in different countries even if it takes years.

ATR: What is your concern over the Olympic status of the sport?

JMS: When I was a child, I was impressed watching the Olympic Games on TV. It was my dream to participate in the Olympic Games, but unfortunately, my sport was not in the program. When it became an Olympic Sport in 1988, I was so proud to be part of it and I could feel and realize on the ground (and even more now as an administrator) how important it is to be in the Olympic Games. So this of course is one of our targets - to have a very good status in the Olympic Movement.

ATR: Group C status for federation funding from the IOC - is this satisfactory?

JMS: Of course it is great. But there are [only a] few places and many sports and disciplines would like to improve their position. The target is not only to maintain our position but to improve our status.

ATR: Do you have the support of ITTF chair and past president Adham Sharara?

JMS: Mr. Sharara is a very respected and popular ITTF official. All candidates like to have his support. Even if I did not always agree with some decisions, ITTF has tremendously improved under his presidency. I have no doubt he hopes the best for the Federation and for the game. But, as far as I know, he did not make any official statement of support.

ATR: What is the prospect for growth for the sport?

JMS: The potential is really big because there are some parts of the world where Table Tennis is not yet developed as it could be. For example, not so much has been done in North America in the last years. Now we are happy to be the largest federation with 222 Member Associations (and soon 226). It is good to have them on board, but now we have to help them to develop and grow. This is the next huge step and one of my goals.

ATR: How does it carry appeal to youth?

JMS: We have to try to make Table Tennis more fashionable, better looking and also we could try to bring schoolgirls and boys in the halls to let them discover our sport. Maybe, afterwards, they will start to pay attention and maybe play… and become future players, officials, referees and why not sponsors. Another suggestion is to create interaction between fans and players which is needed.

ATR: Integrity in table tennis: how to protect it? Any issues?

JMS: In 1989 I received the Fair Play Award from UNESCO, which is one of the trophies I am the most proud of. Fair play has always been and remains a core value for me; integrity, fairness and ethics are among the most important things on the sports field. It is asked of the athletes to do so - officials themselves have to set the example. It generates respect of and for everyone.

Written and edited by Ed Hula and Gerard Farek .

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