The ITTF World Youth Championships 2022 is ready to get underway as the globe’s best U19 and U15 athletes have made their way to Tunisia for a week of table tennis action. Tunisia is building a strong reputation as an international table tennis host, having held two WTT Youth Series events as well as a WTT Contender in 2022 alone. Set to be staged 4-11 December at Salle Omnisport de Rades in Rades, a full suite of age events will be held in Singles, Mixed Doubles and Teams, with a total of 14 titles up for grabs for the rising stars. The championships will be a capstone on a fantastic year of competitive youth table tennis.

The Board of Directors meeting in Amman, Jordan during the ITTF SummitHosts for the next two ITTF World Youth Championships have been selected, with Nova Gorica, Slovenia and Helsingborg, Sweden set to stage the 2023 and 2024 editions of the event respectively. The result was announced today at the ITTF Board of Directors meeting, during the ITTF Summit). First held in 2003 in Santiago, Chile, the World Youth Championships has been a marquee event on the global table tennis calendar since its inception and remains one of the most prestigious international tournaments for young table tennis players.

2023 host Slovenia will provide a strong foundation for next year’s championships, having been actively involved in the development of elite youth table tennis. Slovenia has been a key host in the recent WTT Youth Series, staging WTT Youth Star Contender Otocec, WTT Youth Contender Otocec and WTT Youth Contender Nova Gorica throughout 2022.

“We are very glad that we are able to organise the World Youth Championships in 2023 in Slovenia. This is another step in developing table tennis from a tournament perspective. We are really looking forward to hosting a great event and we hope that everybody will enjoy it. We are also looking forward to future cooperation with ITTF and WTT. “ Tomaz Kralj,  Tournament Director for the 2023 ITTF World Youth Championships

As 2024 host, Helsingborg will provide a fitting location for the stars of tomorrow. A hotbed of the sport with a rich tradition of table tennis legends, Sweden is well equipped to add another page to the history books. This year saw the successful staging of WTT Youth Contender Helsingborg, providing a springboard as preparations begin for the 2024 event.

“We are very honoured to have been the chosen host city for this great event and we are looking forward to the continued onward journey with the Swedish Table Tennis Association and the region of Skåne. We want to establish ourself as the best and the strongest city in Scandinavia when it comes to youth championships. We have done bowling and taekwondo, and we are bidding for other events; this is part of the city strategy. Therefore, this event was a very good match between the Swedish Table Tennis Association and us.” Henrik Gidlund, Head of Helsingborg Convention & Event Bureau

Both events will carry the championships’ vibrant history as the ultimate platform for up-and-coming players from all over the world to compete and show their skills. The World Youth Championships continues serving the development of the sport, as players move through the global table tennis pathway.

Since 2003, the ITTF World Youth Championships has been staged on each continent, with 133 titles decided over the 19 years of competition. The 2022 edition of the ITTF World Youth Championships kicks off today with the event taking place from 4-11 December in Rades, Tunisia.