18-Dec-2008, 11:34 AM
Copied from the ITSF web site:
Table soccer and TV
Collective effort from ITSF, partners and federations
The buzz around the upcoming World Cup and the ongoing effort to bring table soccer to the level of other popular sports has created new opportunities, especially with regards to media.
We are now moving forward rapidly towards the broadcast of table soccer events on TV.
The first step will take place at the World Cup: the TV company Eurosport 2 (33 millions of home subscribers in Europe and worldwide) is programming two 26-minute features on the event.
They are also interested in scheduling more programs about the World Championship Series (WCS) events of the 2009 ITSF Tour.
In order to move forward in this direction, we need the support of strong national federations, well structured and actively involved in the development of table soccer in their countries.
This goes both ways: as an international federation, the ITSF must make sure it represents all players worldwide by strongly supporting its member federations, especially when these federations themselves support their own members.
This is why the ITSF and its partner manufacturers will continue to support federations thanks to the proceeds from ITSF stickers on Official Tables - the total of support payments made to our federations to this day amounts to 27 900 euros.
We are also implementing new policies as to the type of prizes allocated at the World Championships.
Thus, 15 tables will be awarded to ITSF member federations:
- rewarding those federations that have worked a lot to develop table soccer in their country
- helping federations in poor countries set up ITSF Training Centres
- rewarding the Top 3 federations according to the medal count in the World Championships rankings
Please note that no prize money will be awarded to Wold Championships winners. Instead, they will receive prizes in the form of packages - free entry fees to attend WCS events during the 2009 Tour.
However, again this year, around 15 000 euros are being awarded in the form of travel packages to help individual players attend the World Championships.
More information on travel packages
2009 looks like it’s going to be a great year for table soccer and a major turning point for our sport. It might take another 2 or 3 years to really feel the outcomes of these changes, but it should be very exciting for all foosball players and lovers!
News article published on Dec. 15, 2008
Table soccer and TV
Collective effort from ITSF, partners and federations
The buzz around the upcoming World Cup and the ongoing effort to bring table soccer to the level of other popular sports has created new opportunities, especially with regards to media.
We are now moving forward rapidly towards the broadcast of table soccer events on TV.
The first step will take place at the World Cup: the TV company Eurosport 2 (33 millions of home subscribers in Europe and worldwide) is programming two 26-minute features on the event.
They are also interested in scheduling more programs about the World Championship Series (WCS) events of the 2009 ITSF Tour.
In order to move forward in this direction, we need the support of strong national federations, well structured and actively involved in the development of table soccer in their countries.
This goes both ways: as an international federation, the ITSF must make sure it represents all players worldwide by strongly supporting its member federations, especially when these federations themselves support their own members.
This is why the ITSF and its partner manufacturers will continue to support federations thanks to the proceeds from ITSF stickers on Official Tables - the total of support payments made to our federations to this day amounts to 27 900 euros.
We are also implementing new policies as to the type of prizes allocated at the World Championships.
Thus, 15 tables will be awarded to ITSF member federations:
- rewarding those federations that have worked a lot to develop table soccer in their country
- helping federations in poor countries set up ITSF Training Centres
- rewarding the Top 3 federations according to the medal count in the World Championships rankings
Please note that no prize money will be awarded to Wold Championships winners. Instead, they will receive prizes in the form of packages - free entry fees to attend WCS events during the 2009 Tour.
However, again this year, around 15 000 euros are being awarded in the form of travel packages to help individual players attend the World Championships.
More information on travel packages
2009 looks like it’s going to be a great year for table soccer and a major turning point for our sport. It might take another 2 or 3 years to really feel the outcomes of these changes, but it should be very exciting for all foosball players and lovers!
News article published on Dec. 15, 2008
"Man's way to God is with beer in hand." - some Belgium monk