ITTF Hopes Programme Resumes Annual Format; Sheffield Chosen as Host for 2025 World Hopes Week & Challenge

The Complete Pathway Returns for 2025

For over 15 years, the ITTF Hopes Programme has played a pivotal role in identifying and nurturing young talent in the world of table tennis. This talent identification initiative has successfully guided emerging players toward reaching elite levels of competition. As the ITTF embarks on a new season, the focus remains on the future, aiming to create fresh opportunities, ambitions, and a renewed identity within the program.

The upcoming 2025 season will see the ITTF Hopes Programme reinstating its comprehensive year-long developmental framework. This structure is designed to systematically identify and cultivate table tennis talent among children under the age of 12, specifically those born in 2013 or later. This newly refreshed programme flaunts a modern visual identity and branding while staying true to its foundational mission. Since its inception in 2009, the Hopes Programme has become a cornerstone of the ITTF’s talent development pathway, consistently driving the growth of the sport.

Reinforcing Commitment to Youth Development

“With the Hopes Programme returning to its yearly structure, we’ve reinforced our commitment to providing direct, hands-on support to young players and their member associations across all continents. This pathway equips emerging talent with essential skills while creating opportunities for long-term growth in our sport. By strengthening foundations at the grassroots level through the Hopes Programme, we’re building the future of table tennis one player at a time.”

National Hopes Activities and Selection Process

At the grassroots level, National Hopes activities serve as the primary foundation where member associations scout for and develop promising talents. These national events act as preliminary selection grounds, with standout performers being given the opportunity to advance to their respective Continental Hopes events. At the continental level, the talent pool is further refined, with only the most promising athletes qualifying for the ultimate experience – the World Hopes Week and Challenge.

This carefully structured pyramid not only identifies talent but also culminates in the highly anticipated World Hopes Week and Challenge, marking the pinnacle of youth development in the sport of table tennis.

Success Stories from the Hopes Programme

“The ITTF Hopes programme has over a long period of time been the key component in a successful and well established ITTF High Performance Programme. We know from experience that international recognition early on in the career is a defining moment for many young athletes. I sincerely hope that the new one-year cycle will engage even more member associations to put proper talent ID educational opportunities in place for their own pool of talents. Our goal is clear – 100 countries signing up for the ITTF Hopes programme in the ITTF centennial year of 2026.”

Sheffield to Host the 2025 World Hopes Week & Challenge

With this revitalized framework in place, Sheffield will play host to the 2025 ITTF World Hopes Week & Challenge, a gathering of promising young table tennis athletes. This flagship ITTF Sport Development initiative represents a significant milestone for players under the age of 12, providing them the chance to train with peers from around the globe.

The English Institute of Sport (EIS) Sheffield, renowned as the home of the GB Performance programme, will serve as the venue for this global event from October 13 to 19, 2025. Up to 20 girls and 20 boys from five continents, along with approximately 40 coaches, will participate in a week filled with intensive training. This extensive training culminates in a challenge event during the final two days of the week.

A Unique Opportunity for Development

“We are honoured to have been selected by the ITTF to deliver the 2025 ITTF World Hopes Week,” remarked the Head of Pathway Development at Table Tennis England. “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring the best U12 players from across the world to our very own performance base in Sheffield. We will endeavor to use this week as a valuable development opportunity to learn more about best practices in the U12 early development stage.”

The Legacy of Developing Champions

The Hopes Programme has made a noticeable impact on various talents across the globe. Notable alumni from the programme include Truls Moregard from Sweden, who won silver in men’s singles at the Paris 2024 Olympics, exemplifying the ability of the programme to develop top-tier Olympic-level candidates. Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz made her mark as a world-class player, currently ranked No. 17, after first participating in table tennis as an 8-year-old Hopes athlete. Moreover, Egypt’s Hana Goda made history as the youngest Africa Cup champion at just 14 years and 7 months in 2022. Another rising star, Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi, has recently demonstrated her growth by reaching the quarterfinals at the ITTF World Cup Macao 2025.

Personal Reflections and Ongoing Success

Reflecting on her experience with the Hopes Programme, Hana Goda emphasized: “If it hadn’t been for Hopes, I think my table tennis journey would have been completely different. It wasn’t just about the technical skills – though I learned so much there – it was the connections that made it special. The bond we formed with other players has lasted for years. We’re still in touch now, supporting each other through competitions and careers. Hopes didn’t just shape me as a player; it became part of my table tennis identity.”

Emerging talents such as Izaac Quek from Singapore and Elena Zaharia from Romania have also showcased their potential by making impressive appearances at the ITTF World Youth Championships 2023, affirming the programme’s effectiveness in identifying and developing promising candidates from diverse backgrounds. These narratives of success underscore the ongoing potential for the Hopes Programme to create pathways to international success.

Aiming for a Bright Future

The significance of England hosting the 2025 ITTF World Hopes Week & Challenge becomes even more pronounced as it aligns with the ITTF’s centenary celebrations. The World Championships Finals will return to London in 2026, precisely 100 years after the city hosted the inaugural World Championships along with the establishment of the ITTF in 1926.

This insightful timing of events casts a powerful narrative that connects the rich heritage of the sport to its promising future. The talented young players competing in Sheffield may ultimately emerge as the champions who will define the next century of table tennis. Through the Hopes Programme, these aspiring athletes are not only developing their skills but also laying the groundwork for the continued growth and evolution of the sport.