ROCKVILLE, MD – JOOLA and Shandong Luneng Table Tennis Club (Luneng TTC) have signed an agreement for JOOLA to become the official equipment sponsor of the club. Luneng TTC is known to be one of China’s best table tennis clubs and a pioneer of the sport in China.

In 2000, Luneng TTC’s parent company, Shandong Electric Power Corporation, transformed the Shandong Province Table Tennis Team to form the first professional table tennis club in China. The club later established the Qingdao Youth Academy where some of the world’s most notable table tennis athletes have trained. Luneng TTC has garnered multiple championship titles, including 3 Chinese Table Tennis Super League Men’s League Championships and 6 Chinese Table Tennis Super League Women’s League Championships.

“Luneng is known for producing some of the world’s best table tennis players,” said Richard Lee, President of JOOLA. “We are extremely honored to support this prestigious program that has had such an undeniable impact on the sport. With JOOLA’s innovative new products and Luneng’s world-class training, we’ll be able to create a whole new experience for the next generation.”

The signing ceremony, which took place in Shandong, China on October 16th, 2020 was attended by Luneng TTC Executive Deputy General Manager Sun Jian, Shandong Electric Power Corporation Executive Deputy General Manager Zeng-Shuai, Luneng TTC Team Head Coach Guo Keli, JOOLA Asia Representative Gui Lin, JOOLA Xiamen General Manager Huang Enpei, and Deputy General Manager Guo Kele.

Following the sponsorship deal, Luneng TTC will begin to use JOOLA equipment, including JOOLA competition tables, barriers, and balls. Players who are a part of the Qingdao Youth Academy will also be sponsored by JOOLA.

“It’s a win-win for both of us. We really appreciate the sponsorship of professional table tennis equipment from JOOLA. We will also do our best to support JOOLA on product research and development as well,” said Lu Jingqi, the coach of Luneng TTC.

Additionally, the sponsorship agreement establishes a Team JOOLA sister-club partnership between Luneng TTC and Germany’s Karlsruhe Institute of Table Tennis. Players from both clubs will have the opportunity to participate in exchange programs for high-level training. Other JOOLA-sponsored players will also be given the chance to participate in these exchange programs.

“We look forward to working together with JOOLA to further expand the table tennis community,” commented Zeng-Shuai, Executive Deputy General Manager of Shandong Electric Power Corporation.

“This is an exciting opportunity that will open new doors for our players,” added Jan Zibrat, Head Coach of Karlsruhe Institute of Table Tennis. “Luneng has a great reputation and I believe players from both of our clubs will learn a lot and benefit greatly from the sister-club partnership. This creates a well-rounded training experience that encourages the exchange of European and Chinese table tennis knowledge and playing styles.