Slovenia is a sporting powerhouse, known around the globe for tis 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. Numerous reasons to remember the past, but also a moment for new commitments, wishes, goals for even better and more exemplary organization, striving to provide optimal conditions for para athletes, while also using the media and modern platforms (detailed online streaming and application) with the aim of having the competitions reach broader audiences to make them realize on how high and professional levels is para table tennis is played. “The event in Laško has a rich tradition. We are proud of the story we write along with our partners year in year out. Such an event would not be happening without dedication, support, expertise, hard work and some sports luck. 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. But I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who, in whichever way, contributed to us hosting the 20th I Feel Slovenia Open Thermana Laško this year,” starts Damijan Lazar, president of the organizing committee and president of the Sports Federation for the Disabled of Slovenia – Slovenian Paralympic Committee, the organizer of the event.
The first one in 2004.
It all started with Gorazd Vecko, the visionary Slovenia national para table tennis coach, who realized more than 20 years ago that Slovenia needs an international tournament if it was to stay competitive with the rest of the world. And whatever Gorazd sets out to do, he does on the highest level. The tournament in Laško is just another of such Gorazd stories. He found his first partner in the Paraplegics Society of Ljubljana, and alongside Gregor Gračner, para athlete and former captain of the Slovenian wheelchair basketball team who is now head of sports at Slovenian Paraplegics Association, Gorazd organized the first international tournament in Laško. The first Slovenia Open took place between April 28th and May 2nd 2004 and hosted 176 players from 21 countries. France came out the most decorated with 25 medals: 10 golds, 11 silvers and 4 bronzes. Andreja Dolinar won two golds for Slovenia: in singles and in teams alongside Mateja Pintar, who also won bronze in singles and later that year became Paralympic champion in Athens.
China as well
The competition was gaining recognition and began to grow and Sports federation for the Disabled of Slovenia – Slovenian Paralympic Committee took over its organization as the umbrella national organization for para sport in Slovenia. With new experience in organization the event was becoming more and more prominent, recognized and influential every year, while still constantly groving and developing. It found its home in Laško. It only changed location once: in 2007 it moved to Kranjska Gora, but with good reason. Namely, Kranjska Gora was where Slovenia was to host the European Para Table Tennis Championship that year, and what better way to test the waters than putting on Slovenia Open there first as well. Still, the tournament grew: in 2008 the number of participating countries surpassed 30, reached 40 in 2015 and broke the record with 52 two years ago. The 8th tournament, in 2011, was a special milestone with 342 players from 36 countries, which for the first time ever included the table tennis super power China.
Overcame even COVID-19
Every year brought on new challenges. There was no Slovenia Open in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic that greatly impacted the athletes and organizers as well. But in 2022 it was back, NPC Slovenia successfully applied all necessary protocols to combat the virus in Laško and executed the tournament. It needs to be pointed out that para table tennis was played in 2021 as well in Laško despite COVID-19. It’s where Slovenia hosted the first ever Paralympic qualification tournament. “Come to think of it, the qualification tournament and the COVID-19 period weren’t all that challenging for us. I’m glad we prepared for the 2021 event extremely well, we had clear rules and protocols in place, and especially amazing support at the Laško Health Centre and Celje General Hospital, which provided expert assistance on the primary as well as the secondary levels,” Damijan Lazar, president of NPC Slovenia remembers the COVID-19 times. “Challenges came up and will continue to come up – but that is what drives para sport, the world and also our event, to which I wish all the best and many more successful returns,” concludes Damijan Lazar, who used to be a para table tennis player and coach himself.