Speed-gluing series part 10:
Controlling of the new speed-glue ban DTTB-President Weikert
After the nearly paradoxical speed-glue ban of the ITTF at the Individual World Championships in Zageb, many national associations were intensively concentrated in dealing with this decision. An adjustment of the new regulations for the upcoming season was not possible for many nations because detailed information about the controversial decision were missing for weeks. The immediately effected decision for a ban of harmful organic solvents in the so far common glues was felt at the end of May and says that adults will be controlled by September 1st 2008 whereas for juniors, controlling will start already by the beginning of next year. On international level, handling of the situation is quite different. Many federations are following ITTF, but some also prefer a special way of handling. In Switzerland, for example, controls are already taking place for adults and juniors. Offences against the new regulation are punished by a penalty of 200,00 Swiss Francs. According to the plans of the German table tennis federation, controls before the matches should start for adult players on September 1st and for junior players already with the start of the new season e.g. 4 month before the controls start for ITTF events. A corresponding test voting during DTTB-general meeting, held last year just after the World Championships in June, resulted in an unanimous vote of the delegates for this way of proceeding; the confirmation to this result by written procedure became therefore only logical. The andro-Newsletter-Team spoke with DTTB-President Thomas Weikert, who explained in detail the position of his federation.
Mr. Weikert, the German Table Tennis Federation wants to arrange controls for the speed glue ban for youth competitions already now, so this means four month before the ITTF starts controls of international tournaments in the youth sector. What is the reason for the intensification of the ITTF-decision?
The final argument for the ban is the protection of health. Because of that we supported introduction of controlling measures already from September 1st 2007 on. But at the ITTF- Congress 2006, during the World Championships in Bremen, the ITTF revised once more its former made decision. But now we want to point out that it is a measure for the health protection and that DTTB wants to take the responsibility for its youth players.
Which effects do you expect?
We are aware of the fact that it is difficult. This is also true for the controls. But at all important changes in the past, problems occurred but at the end all difficulties are gone and everything went its regular way. According to an agreement with the responsible national coaches, the German youth squad players should stop use of harmful glues.
In Switzerland controls will be done for youth and also for adult players with immediate effect. What do you think about this procedure?
With regard to health protection, I think, that this solution is not bad. When developing the new regulation, we have tried to conserve equal opportunities for our top-players on international level and because of that we decided to start with earlier controls only on youth level.
The violation of the speed glue ban will be punished by claiming a fee and not, like in Germany, with a loss of a match, does the Switzerland regulation say. What is your opinion concerning this punishment?
I would have appreciated, if ITTF had introduced as a sanctions rather than to lose a match or, like it is done in Switzerland, financial penalty.
Just one year left and the day "X" will be effected on all levels. How does the DTTB wants to handle the controls?
We are still in the process of planning. There are a few questions, which have to be clarified. This also contains the question, if the measurement instruments will be provided by the home playing club or will be brought along by the umpires. For sure, we will find answers to these questions until next spring-time.
Speed-gluing series, part 9: amendment to previous andro newsletter:
In order to correct and complete the last issue of the speed-glue series of the andro newsletter we would like to add the following information:- The new racket control test starting on 1 January 2008 is for ITTF JUNIOR EVENTS (not youth players) and it is for junior events up to 18 years (not 14 years).
- In case of a CONFIRMED serious health incident (as per ITTF approved medical authority), the testing would start IMMEDIATELY at the date health incident is confirmed.
