ITTF Pro Tour 2008
The Olympic Year Kicks Off in Slovenia
The forthcoming year is one of high importance. The Olympic
Games in Beijing and the World Team Championships are destined
to create table tennis legends.
The thirteenth year of the ITTF Pro Tour starts in Slovenia
on 15th January 2008. The Slovenia Open in Velenje is the
last big ITTF event before the World Team Championships.
The Tour continues with the opens in Kuwait and Qatar, both
held in March. The events in the Emirates are traditionally
popular among top players owing to the high prize money. Each
boasts US$ 211.600. The overall prize money of the 2008 Pro
Tour is US$ 2.040.400.
Team Competitions at Four Pro Tour Events
At the Pro Tour tournaments in Japan, China, Germany and France,
team events will be played according to the Olympic system
and will replace the doubles competitions.
"It will be a test for television, sponsors and spectators
and a first class opportunity to present the sport in a hopefully
better package", explained TMS Managing Director Anders
Thunström. TMS is responsible for sponsorship, television
rights and marketing issues within the ITTF.
Olympic System in Brief
A team consists of three players and fixture comprises two
singles matches followed by a doubles and two more singles
matches if necessary. A player may only play twice in a fixture.
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"Source:
ITTF Press Release