ITTF President Weikert hits out at German official for failing to show up at World Championships

DUSSELDORF, Germany, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Thomas Weikert, the President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) here on Monday criticized the German government for failing to send a representitave to the World Championships being held in this western German city.

Weikert, who was just reelected as the ITTF president last week, said: "We have more than 100 associations participating from all over the world, from all continents. In the start before the event, our President from the German Association (Confederation) should write greetings, he did not.

"I am very worried that no politicians from the German government is here. Speaking as the ITTF President, if we go to other continents or other countries, there is a participation.

Speaking at a press conference along with Michael Geiger, President of the Germany Table Tennis Association, and Thomas Geisel, Mayor of Dusseldorf, "At least this is really a big competition with many participation. I am really a bit disappointed that no one from the government is here," he said.

When asked by Xinhua why there is no German officials showing up at the week-long World Championships, Weikert said, "I don't know, you should ask them. We had sent invitations to them a long time before. This can never happen in the other countries."