Il sito della federazione europea ha pubblicato una interessante intervista al nostro Presidente Franco Sciannimanico che riproponiamo nella versione integrale.

All-around Italian President SCIANNIMANICO broke another record

BPN European YOG Qualifications running in Novara is just one of many events and initiatives Italian TT Association was carrying on. After re-election on the position of President of FITET Franco SCIANNIMANICO announced that one of his primary targets in second mandate is further promotion of Table Tennis in Italy. In first four year of SCIANNIMANICO’s presidency, FITET reached an increase of the card-holder members and of the persons attending our tournaments, almost year and a half latter President SCIANNIMANICO is very proud of new record-breaking figures. “Despite the very tough times and period of crises, we have 14.500 players in Italy, and with officials and coaches we reaches the number of 22.000 persons. We are very pleased with the development of our programs,” said FITET President SCIANNIMANICO.

In March, during the Lignano Master Open, it has been announced with a special ceremony the nomination of Lignano Sabbiadoro Getur Village as Federal Paralympics Table Tennis Centre for the Italian national teams. “There were some structural changes in organization of Italian sport. Like all other sports from community of disabled athletes, table tennis is not any more under the guidance of Paralympics committee. Each sport federation took the responsibility of their disabled athletes. Now FITET is fully involved to develop the new activities and opening of the National center in Lignano gives us great opportunities in the future.  We have numerous running activities in Lignano, not only the events, but technical meetings. In addition we gave the opportunity to clubs to use very good facilities.”

Not only on national level, but also in International frame, Lignano become a very important point of Italian table tennis. Lignano is also the candidate for the European Youth Championships 2012.  “We have facilities there to accommodate 470 athletes in city hotels which open huge opportunities. We wish to have each year at least one event for athletes with disabilities and one regular tournament.”

That means that FITET will soon become even bigger organization. “For our plans we need to strengthen the human resources so we can carry all activities in proper way.”

Of course, there is a lot to be done for ambitious FITET President. “Our biggest aim is to make this sport more popular and to improve the technical level of the game in Italy. We used to have VIP tournaments in Rome and involve the celebrities, TV people, sport aces with sole goal to make this sport familiar to Italians.”

However, nothing works like success. The semi final of the STERILGARDA Castelgoffredo in both categories of European Champions league had a huge impact. The crowded arena and fantastic atmosphere is the best thing for sport. “So far we have four hours of TV coverage per week, from international and national events. We hope that this number will increase.”

Soon the FITET will establish the new strategy in order to improve the results and technical level of play. “On April 24th we will have experts meeting. We want our players to spend more time in national centers. We want to create a solid base with youngsters, and we expect to have good results with youth already in year 2013. We have medals with female team and expectations from public are always high, so as it from our National Olympic Committee. Our strategy is not to limit our focus only on national centers, but to help clubs and to give them the support. In addition, we will talk with the parents of our young players in order to help them with great obstacles they facing in attempts to give youngsters proper educations. Our school has very strict politics regarding the absence from classes and it takes lot of effort to synchronize training, competition and schoolwork.”

For all these programs President of FITET Franco SCIANNIMANICO need great support from the FITET he can get. “We have great working and trusty, friendly atmosphere in our Federation. We have good facilities, now we hope that it will gives us the result. That sport federation is all about,” said SCIANNIMANICO.

(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)