A few things:
We all want table tennis to be even more popular. If that's case we need to bring English into its marketing. Yes I agree that most of Ma Long's fans speak Chinese only. Yes I agree that majority of Hiya Hayata's fans are Japanese speakers. However, in what language are we communicating here? English.
and how big is TTD? compared to any of the Japanese forums?
You want it in English, but sadly for you, there is actually very little info on English forums and over time, Dan always asked me to help post stuff here and give it some content. Else, I wouldn't even spend much time here.
TTD is already considered busy. Mytt and the other English forums are so quiet, it feels like a library. (and I have great sadness saying that)
I know Taiwanese people learning Korean, because they like K Pop
I know Chinese people learning English, because they want to go play pro in USA
I don't know much western people learning Chinese, because they want to excel in Table Tennis.
so, great we communicating in English here, it stilll means nothing, because Chinese and Japanese are the worlds 2 biggest markets. If it wasn't for subtitles, the English audience is really left out and if it wasn't for a few bilingual forum members, you would wish you speak Chinese.
Li Ning is a powerhouse sport brand in China. But don't think for a second they don't want their home grown athletes to be signed to Nike at some point (granted 10 years later, who knows where Nike will be but you get the point). Federer is making a load of money on his watch endorsement. Can you imagine if the Chinese or Japanese table tennis players can be marketed through English, how much more luxury goods endorsements they will get across the world?
Chinese super stars signed to American company?
Hm... I don't think that would happen, especially table tennis.
I think this is a total different issue here, maybe you don't know the background story, but its pretty political driven.
and just talking about table tennis market size... If you take our Germany. Do you know how small is the worlds table tennis market? if you want to talk about marketing, you first need to determine market size.
If the English speaking market is very big, then maybe, the world today will be more in favor to your wish. But, really, TT is very small in many English speaking countries.
As for making table tennis more popular, there is the traditional way of trying to do it through local schools; we call that the grassroot movement. Unfortunately many countries table tennis federation and ITTF do not do much to grow any of these grassroot movements at all.
It is not the job of ITTF or national bodies for grassroot. They must focus on international and national.
FIBA and USA Basketball for example, are not going to be labeled as "the party" that is responsible for putting up hoops in the parks. In fact, communities will put them up. There is a big difference here, and with my time serving different communities, it feels like many are waiting for ITTF or national associations to do something about their communities.... its going to be a long long wait.
Community needs to do they own backyard first. Hence that is why I encourage so many to start TT in schools, as that is grassroots.
With the advent of outdoor table tennis tables being set at various parks and the social media movements (like at Pongfinity and Adam's YouTube channels), I think there are many more ways to make table tennis popular. We just need to be flexible in our thinking.
I do feel TT is very late in using digital channels, lots of improvements is still achievable.
Start off with existing tt circles? I do think the medium age is too high of a number to bond with technology and many are slow to adapt.
I would even argue that we should go after the adults who are the "basement" players. They can also become the future of table tennis. Let us be frank. The kids don't have money to buy the equipments. And table tennis equipment can get pricey. If the adults/parents get hooked onto ping pong, they will be the consumer of the various equipments (and become addicted EJ's) and they in turn will get their kids and their kids' friends involved in the sport.
Fair point, so one has ITTF rule book and then you need a "i don't care about ITTF rulebook" and use what ever you want to play.
Amateur space should never be the same rules as professionals and this is big problem with umpire trained TT amateur open their months. They use the rule book way too much.
So this require a cultural shift first with TT people.
For example, I think it is cool to be playing with 38mm or 50+mm balls. Who said I can't put a blue and green rubber on and play 50+ with you? (Igor will say its wrong lol)
Table tennis, with its ability to be played at a small area and be a dominant indoor sport in parts of world where the winter is harsh, has a lot of potential.
schools has the space.
in rural south africa, a classroom can fit 1 to 2 tables.
it is the cheapest ball sport to start in a school.
I see you are from Canada, how many elementary schools is in your city (what city are you in) and how many of them have table tennis?
