Popularity of TT?

[speedplay]

In all forums, this question is raised sooner or later, how do we improve the popularity of TT?

There is currently an interesting discussion about this over at Mytt, al though it leans heavily on how to make it more popular in the USA.

Now, is it necessarily for the sport to be big in the USA to make it grow?

Also, the consensus there seems to be that longer rallies would make the sport more popular and these longer rallies should be made possible by some rule changes, what's your view on this?

What do you think needs to be done to increase popularity of TT?

[speedplay]

Calm down, calm down, you don't need to throw all you suggestions at me at once. Start with one idea and lets discuss that before we move on to the next idea, al right?

[Honey]

Needs more: Alcohol, TV & Sex Appeal

Its the shameful truth!

I think TT is already popular, but not many people take it seriously. Everyone loves TT, we know that. It's just, we need a way for people to see it as THEIR sport.

It doesn't help that in the UK, there are alot of clubs based in church halls/social clubs. If there were more dedicated centres about, or if it appeared as proper sessions in big sports halls, it would be more popular.

Thing is about TT, its almost too nice to spoil. It's all about actually playing the sport, and less about how cool you look playing it and being part of it.

[RebornTTEvnglist]

Actually I'm starting to think its wasted effort bothering to try to make it more popular. We love the sport and appreciate it in all its facets. The people who don't are missing out, but you can't force people into something like this. Sure, if it was more popular it might have some minor benefits for us, but as long as I have a club to play at and enjoy the game, then I'm not going to be too fussed if people refuse to convert to this great sport. And we know people do either convert or come back to it, just like most of us have. And just like we see new examples of on the forums all the time. I'm happy for someone to explain to me why we need to make it more popular than it already is.

[speedplay]

Reasons to make it more popular= Easy, I love to watch high quality TT and if the sport grows bigger and more popular, it will get more time on TV.

I love to talk about TT, and if it is shown more on TV, more people will watch it and I will have more people to talk about TT with.

More popularity would raise more money for the pro's and al though I don't think I ever will earn a dime from my own game, this would be possible as I believe more players would be committed to improve their game and this might actually lead to the worls catching up on China some.

If the sport becomes more popular, more participants I think it would result in better venues to play in, at all levels.

So I think there are a lot of benefits to get the sport more popular.

[big ears]

I agree with Reb, its like pissing in to the wind, TT is one of those sports that either grabs you or does not. The only TT that appeals to the general public is exhibition stuff, and in general that turns most of us off. I think that instead of this ongoing agenda by the ITTF to populise the game, they should concentrate more on looking after the wishes of rank and file players, instead of governing them, masters and servants style. The Yanks can just forget it, TT is like something your granny plays over there (Susan Sarandon?) Try promoting Cricket in Sweden, Soccer in USA, American Football in UK, they are doomed to failure and they are real major sports. British people just do not get turned on by American football, Americans just do not get turned on by Soccer, there is no point trying further, they have both failed.In my town, the sports bars are absolutely heaving when England play soccer, yet every year they show the 'superbowl' and about three people turn up.

[pingpongrob]

The only way to increase the popularity of Table Tennis is to go back to the Hardbat days, Just like we used to play it. This will take the complexity out of the game. I speak to a lot of players that are retired (not old age) and they say that table tennis is to stressful and to complicated.

[speedplay]

I don't believe in turning back the clock, cause Hardbat still exists and if this is what we should play to get the game more popular, why isn't hardbat popular today?

I agree with Biggy that it is like pissing in the wind, but when you got to go, you got to go, regardless of the wind, right? So, I think we should still strive to make the sport bigger, but I don't think we will achieve it by changing the rules all the time.

Telly time is probably the best way to success, but it should be lead by commentators who actually explain what is going on, how show slow-motion so that people can see, follow and understand the game.

[big ears]

I agree with Biggy that it is like pissing in the wind, but when you got to go, you got to go, regardless of the wind, right?

 
 Yeah, but if you piss with the wind it goes alot further and does not get you wet in other words, get things right as they are, and if growth comes so be it, insead of spending lots of energy trying to make TT a top sport.

[speedplay]

 Yeah, but if you piss with the wind it goes alot further and does not get you wet in other words, get things right as they are, and if growth comes so be it, insead of spending lots of energy trying to make TT a top sport.

Which is pretty much what I suggest, leave the sport alone but work on marketing. This is obviously the opposite direction of that ITTF thinks is the right way. No marketing but constant rule changes.