Change is the only constant in our lives and (para) sport is no exception. It is developing with unanticipated speed, not only in athlete’s achievements but also in terms of competitions and their organization. Slovenia is a sports powerhouse, known around the globe for its excellent organization of sport events – also (or even especially) thanks to Laško. It has been 21 years now since the first time we gathered the world’s elite para table tennis players in this town on the Savinja river. Even more, this year will see the already 20th I Feel Slovenia Open Thermana Laško. But this May will be different, while still very much marked by para sport in Laško, where two tournaments are to be hosted this year as a result of a restructuring of para table tennis after the 1st of January 2025.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) now organizes events of three different levels – Future, Challenger and Elite – as part of its competition structure to enable players of different ranking levels to progress and win ranking points. The Future events are an entry point for young and less experienced players who are only just coming onto the international stage. These tournaments have less impact in terms of ranking points, but are an important kick-off opportunity for talents wishing to build up their careers. The Challenger tournaments are mid-level events for players who already have some international experience. The competition here is tougher and stronger, so they offer a chance to win more ranking points than the Future events. Elite are the top level of ITTF’s competitions, in which the world’s best players participate, the competition is extremely strong and accordingly the most ranking points can be won here. These three levels comprise a clearly structured system that allows athletes to advance depending on their abilities and results. We are happy for Laško to be part of it.
Proved we’re capable of something
“This is the longest-running tournament and the biggest of its kind in the world. That is quite a recognition but also a commitment and promise to keep it that way and take a step further in its organization as well. We have challenges ahead, but am confident that our organizing team can take them on,” says Damijan Lazar, head of the event’s organizing committee and president of the Sports Association for the Disabled of Slovenia – Slovenian Paralympic Committee (NPC Slovenia) on the novelties introduced by ITTF. “A lot has changed in a very short period of time. First the graphic image, then the application system, according to which the list of participants can now change up to a month before the event, which makes it difficult to accurately book accommodation capacities. The deadlines are very short, too, which sets new challenges but also fires up the competition. We were also forced to put down some advance payments, but were ready for such an inconvenience as well thanks to all our vast experience,” Damijan Lazar gives a few examples of the changes and organizational nuggets the new tournament ranking poses. “But it is a very positive feature that things are now so clearly structured when it comes to events, everything is standardised, including the medals, which sets clear rules of the game. The only thing I would say is that I wish there hadn’t been quite so many changes or that they had been introduced more gradually,” Lazar adds.
Slovenia is the one setting trends in the organization of sport events. The global public was impressed by our execution of the European and world para table tennis championships in 2017 and 2018. In the most trying times for (para) sport, when the COVID-19 virus stopped everything, we were the first to properly host the first ever Paralympic qualification tournament in Laško in the spring of 2021. “We are looking forward to a new challenge(r)!” concluders Damijan Lazar, trusting that his team and personnel in Laško will do everything in their power for optimal results of all participants and guests. As is the custom in Laško.