(by Steve Hopkins)

While many countries are beginning to allow sanctioned events (the US is open to sanctioned tournaments starting in July), the ITTF Tour remains paused.  Last week, the ITTF announced that the Czech Open and the Bulgaria Open are both cancelled from the tour schedule.  The significance of the decision is that the Czech Open was scheduled for the last week of August, and the Bulgaria Open was scheduled for the first week of September.  This effectively cancels or postpones every major international event through to the European Championships which are currently scheduled from September 15-20.

The main issue with the ITTF running international events is the potential for travel restrictions affecting the event – or affecting the players who would normally attend the event.  More cancellations are expected when the ITTF Executive Committee next meets on June 23rd.

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