October 19-20 could be a renewed launch of Sino-American people to people relations. It is coming in a familiar way…ping pong diplomacy at the highest level.
About a year ago the Amity Foundation, Nanjing, China, asked Dr. Gene Wood, Founder and CEO of Word4Asia Consulting, if he would consider co-chairing the first International Amity Cup. Though requiring much work, the event will take place in the famed Olympic venue in Nanjing. Gene and Liping Martinez (W4A Exec. Director) made an observational trip in May of 2024.
Olympic Sports Centre Stadium Nanjing, China
In this VIP tour they noted this as an unusually high level/quality sports venue.
There will be more than 1100 players, but the event will be a team-oriented competition. There are six international teams represented. W4A will be hosting a team which is expected to compete well.
Our team will be led by:
- Austin Preiss – (rated 2406), Men’s Singles and Doubles Champion and former ITTF professional player of the year. He is also a former Rocky Mountain Athlete of the Year.
- Lily Yip – (rated 2400+), two-time Olympian, winner of dozens of national and international titles and USA hall of famer.
- Scott Preiss – former national coach and trainer at the USA Olympic Training Center in Colorado, has performed over 3000 table tennis exhibitions and was inducted into the hall of fame in 2017.
- David Wilson – coach and coordinator for the W4A team.
- Other team members include Brandon Gardner and Fritz Achhorner.
While in China, the team will be guests at multiple banquets and meetings with various government officials. In Shanghai, Dr. Yu (one of the regulars on the Chinese Shark Tank) will receive the team at the Leighton School.
It is anticipated this event will open doors for future gatherings in much the same manner as the “chance meeting” of Cowen and Zedong did 52 years ago. The plan was originally to make this an official 50-year anniversary event to the Nixon era connection, but due to Covid and other unavoidable factors that did not happen.
It is anticipated this event will open doors for future gatherings in much the same manner as the “chance meeting” of Cowen and Zedong did 52 years ago. The plan was originally to make this an official 50-year anniversary event to the Nixon era connection, but due to Covid and other unavoidable factors that did not happen.
At noon on October 19th there will be a break for six international teams to each play a Chinese team. We expect a full stadium of guests to be present for this unique event and for the energy in the arena to be high.
In May, Gene and Liping were asked to meet with the Jiangsu Foreign Exchange Officials and conversation about “what is next” took place. President Xi has expressed his desire that more international face to face exchanges to take place. In particular, Sino-American exchanges. Word4Asia is hoping our partnership and investment in this event will bring positive outcomes and increase mutual understanding.
affairs officials in May ‘24.
