Teow appointed as ITTF commits to sustainability
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has appointed Karine Teow as the governing body’s first-ever Sustainability Manager and confirmed that the theme for World Table Tennis Day 2023 will be ‘Think Sustainably, Act Now’.
Teow, a sports and programme development expert, has been a member of the ITTF Foundation since the creation of the organisation, which spearheads the ITTF’s social responsibility initiatives.
Her appointment was announced during a session on sustainability at the inaugural ITTF Summit in Amman, Jordan, where details were also confirmed for World Table Tennis Day 2023, which will take place on April 23.
Teow will work towards aligning the ITTF with the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainability Development Goals. The ITTF became a signatory of the UN Sport for Climate Action Framework in September.
“After a steep learning curve at the ITTF Foundation, I am both grateful and excited to take on this new challenge within the ITTF Group,”
“Having the role positioned across ITTF, World Table Tennis and the ITTF Foundation is to me, a clear signal that we have a real buy-in from the leadership and commitment to making the changes necessary to ensure table tennis is a sport for tomorrow.
“I will do my utmost to find my allies in making sustainability accessible and digestible to the table tennis community and ensure all aspects of our sport contribute positively to people, planet and prosperity.
“It is with urgency that we should build on the wonderful work that has been done, get the dialogue going and take further steps together on this long journey.”
“We want all members of the table tennis family to think about sustainability in everything they do and deliver. Karine will support us with our agenda. Her experience and expertise will be a huge asset as we move forward to attain our goals.”
Regarding the focus on sustainability for World Table Tennis Day 2023, ITTF President Petra Sörling said:
“When I was elected to lead the ITTF, I pledged to make sustainability a key part of my mandate. Our federation oversees a global sport, so it is very important that we lead the way in being stewards for managing our footprint to drive change in the world.
“This year’s World Table Tennis Day will build on the ITTF signing the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework and continue the fight against climate change.”
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