ITTF, where should they aim to improve popularity of TT?

[speedplay]

Every one complains that the ITTF aren't doing enough to increase the popularity of the sport, some wants them to give more pize money to the winners of their events, some thinks they should aim for specific markets (many thinks they need to invest in the U.S) to make the sport big, but what do you reckon needs to be done?

The way I see it, increasing the prize money will be hard, cause not even the ITTF can spend money they don't have. This would rather be the result of making the sport more popular, then a way to make it more popular.

As for aiming for specific markets, I think this needs to be done, but I don't think they should aimfor the U.S, cause I simply refuse to belive that it will be popular in the rest of the world as soon as it becomes popular in the U.S. I would rather see them invest in markets where TT is already an accepted sport, so invest in Europe and Asia and try to make the sport grow here first. If this succeeds, then they could aim for the "smaller" markets,  where TT isn't a big sport at all.

The key thing to increase popularity is availability. As it is today, a big event like the Euro top 12 wasn't broadcasted on any of the big sport channels, which is a shame. Some of you might say that I can find the matches on the internet, and you are probably right, but lets face it, TT on the internet will only catch the interest of those who already have a passion for the sport. Getting it televised would probably increase the interest a lot. How to achieve this? First of, give away the rights to broadcast to any one who wants to do it, rather then trying to sell it. Second, all sport journalists share a passion for statistics, so set up a huge data base where every result of every ranked player can be found. Third, try to educate the audience, have some one explain what is going on at the table. This could be done by several short videos that explains different things, one could be about different material and how it works, another could be about the serve, what advantages it gives and what the server tries to achieve with it and so on.
 
Now, what do you think?

[Der Echte]

Modern TT is a relatively new sport and we cannot expect it to grow like we want it right away. It would help greatly if TT was a school sport everywhere. That requires government involvement to a point, which is good ($$$ and mandate) to a point if the government involvement stays at the level of $$$ suppport and mandate. That will grow a base of informed participants and viewers and inherantly make some demand for TT on TV.

Realistically, ITTF or any national organization (Maybe China and Germany excluded) do not have the cash to throw around to do much. These orgs can make some education vids about the finer points of hte game, so viewing makes a little more sense, but who will air them for free? Maybe ARD/ZDF in Germany, but a lot of Germans already like TT and and know it. Maybe not all, but a lot more than in USA.

With next to zero resourses, it only makes sense to try to lobby with school systems and governments to get a better foothold for TT where it is weak, with next to zero immediate effect, but only for the future.

There simply isn't enough pie to go around for everyone and even giving all the pie to Asia/Europe won't cut it either.

[RebornTTEvnglist]

I don't think the ITTF has the right focus to improve TT popularity much if at all. They demonstrate no interest in grassroots players which is the only place TT popularity is likely to take place. Its these players who are the most likely to be spectators of the pro games. Even if there is more televising of TT on TV (which I think is chicken and egg situation anyway) mostly TT players or those with an interest already will watch. It might get a few new viewers as well, but I doubt many non-TT players or supporters are likely to tune in. This is probably why it doesn't get much air time. Der is right, its schools that need to be given incentive to introduce the sport to kids. But its not the most cost effective or easiest sport to introduce. Not only do they need tables, nets and bats and balls which amongst schoolkids wouldn't have long lives, they need the space to set it all up. Most schools would have the space, but TT would be competing among many other sports using that space and so tables would need to be packed away. That means someone has to set and unset the tables and they need to be stored somewhere safe. This adds in complication to the whole thing as that takes room and effort and time to do. I'm sure many schools look at it and just put it in the too hard basket and go for more easily managed sports.

[blue_smartie68]

Definitely schools...

In this case, it has to be the egg before the chicken.... get the youngies interested, give them a chance to taste the enjoyment, a chance for the bug to bite!
Even if they don't continue from a young age.... many, many adults come back to the sport when their bodies have had enough of other sports like football etc. People realise they need to keep active and as they get older, memories of fun times as a kid could just steer them back to TT.
Once basic club level TT grows, then the rest will follow. Popular demand will eventually lead to facilites and money in the sport for the more serious, but we must establish and promote.... and continue to promote the grass roots level.

Our Shepparton club is just about to comence an after schools program, and also at some stage a keenagers group (60+). Both these activities WILL promote the sport simply by people talking and Mr & Mrs Average hearing that there is an active club in their town! 

[speedplay]

We have TT in schools here, at least, I had it when I went to school. Still, the sport isn't very popular. We also tried to broadcast our highest league, which caught some attention, and the thing is, once it was on TV, newspapper begun to write a little about it as well. Unfortunately, they decided that it was to expensive to continue, so we only did this for one season. I think if they had aired it for a longer time, more people would catch on to the sport. I know that while it was aired, some of my work mates begun talking about it, and they never showed an interest before.

As for the educational vids, I agree that no one would air them for free, but, if they where about to air an event, then these instructional vids could be aired along with the event. Of course, not all would be aired at the same time, but I think this would help generate interest.

[pingpongrob]

The ITTF has got it all wrong. Short rallies and superfast shot turn spectators away. Even in Tennis the Serve and volley game has literally been lost, and spectators like a good long rally.

I'd reckon Speedplay's style would turn a bit of a crowd, cause the rallies would go on for quite some time..

[speedplay]

The ITTF has got it all wrong. Short rallies and superfast shot turn spectators away. Even in Tennis the Serve and volley game has literally been lost, and spectators like a good long rally.

I'd reckon Speedplay's style would turn a bit of a crowd, cause the rallies would go on for quite some time..

I know this is a common view (short rallies) and since it's common, there is probably some truth to it, but I actually don't feel that the rallies are that short. Sure, there are plenty of third ball kills, but there are also good rallies in almost every match, so the game of TT offers great variation. If we think that longer rallies is the answer to increase popularity, then why isn't hard bat more popular? Endless rallies, but due to the lack of speed (relatively speaking, I'm sure that the hard bat pro's plays at least at the same speed as I do) the excitment is gone. Also, look at tennis, I remember that not that long ago, they where scared that the serve and volley game would kill the sport and look at it now, the serve and volley game is gone (did they change any rules at all to achieve this?) and even the final of Wibledon looks as it's played on clay with endless rallies from the base line. Sure, it is popular, but I have lost interest as I find it to be boring as it all looks the same.

Now, as formy style, there is some truth to this, but I believe this is due to the rarity of the style. If every one played like this, then the excitment would be about the guy who went for the third ball kill. With that said, I must say that I'm mighty proud that during our own tournament, I was recognised by the entire crowd, despite being far from the best player there. But,my rare style was obviously appealing to them.

[RebornTTEvnglist]

I must say that I'm mighty proud that during our own tournament, I was recognised by the entire crowd, despite being far from the best player there. But,my rare style was obviously appealing to them.

You sure it wasn't just your sexy good looks?

I don't think the length of rallies or the styles within the sport have much to do with attracting popularity, especially in terms of broadcast attractiveness. Its the sport itself that suffers from a dis-interest in general. If it were broadcast in prime time (at least in Oz), no matter what rallies took place, viewers would change the channel (perhaps after some had looked long enough to work out what the sport was that was being played  ). I think spectatorship is not even what the sport should aim for. It should be participation that is the aim. As Blue-Smarty said get the young into it and get everyone who needs some way of fun exercise in. I think the way to do this is more by word of mouth and dragging people along to try it. Unlike Kevin Costner's Field of Dreams though, I don't think just building TT stadiums will have them come LOL.