October 14, 2008 USTSF President's Update:
The following are questions recently received by USTSF from media that Larry
Davis (as USTSF President, as well as President of the ITSF's Communication
Commission) answered:
1) It is my understanding that the ITSF was established in order to
promote the sport of table football, with the ultimate aim of obtaining
official IOC recognition. What is the current situation? Do you foresee
IOC recognition in the near future?
-- Yes, that is the charter of the organization, and it remains the
primary objective towards which all efforts are driven. Indeed, over
the first five years of the ITSF (founded in 2003) it has made
extraordinary gains to that end -- gains that no one would have imagined
could be realized in such a short time, it at all. ITSF started with
nothing and has expanded to 55 member national federations across five
continents, and now sanctions an average of 60 World Pro Tour events
annually worldwide. They have already run some of the most spectacular
tournaments in the history of the game, such as the World Cup of Table
Soccer held in Hamburg, Germany during the FIFA World Cup in 2006, and
will this January feature a combined World Championships and World Cup
event in Nantes, France that will bring together the World Tour
champions and the National Teams from some 24 countries -- an estimated
total of 500 of the best players on the planet -- all at one time and
place. That's all not to mention ITSF's having standardized the
official rules of play between multiple manufacturers and across all 55
member countries -- a rather unbelievable accomplishment given the
formerly huge diversity of regional and local rules that previously
existed. Or the annual General Assembly meetings that occur concurrent
to the ITSF World Championships, bringing together the athletes, the
representatives from the 55 member federations and the five official and
two recognized manufacturers -- an incredible opportunity for
interaction and instant feedback on product improvements, tour
scheduling, innovative promotions, and a general unification of the
sport's participants worldwide.
Having said all that, most people aren't aware of the very demanding
and extensive documentation imposed by the IOC (much less the extended
length of time involved in meeting compliance requirements). The ITSF
is right on track, though. ITSF's President, Farid Lounas, has met with
the IOC membership and credentials commission in each of the past years,
receiving process guidance and recommendations regarding progress and
structural compliance. These meetings have been favorable (as opposed
to critical). Currently, ITSF has some further preliminary steps to go,
such as affiliation and/or recognition by other international sport
organizations like GAISF. Recognition by GAISF is also progressing
well, as documentation and other requirements are much the same for most
all such bodies.
Here in the United States, the United States Table Soccer Federation
is undergoing similar processes. First we have to be in compliance with
ITSF's documentation requirements, which must fit those of the IOC.
This works fine in that it generally prepares us for USOC membership. I
should say however, that the USOC won't recognize us until after the
ITSF is successful in having the IOC recognize the sport. We have
submitted our request package and send regular updates, but we're really
on standby. Other countries have sports ministries, some of which allow
for recognition as a sport independent of the respective international
federation's status with IOC, and further provide subsidies to those
sports' governing bodies. Since the USA does not have a sports ministry
and is dependent on ITSF/IOC, we are a bit stuck. In the interim, we
are engaging in in-country, USOC-affiliated organized competitions, such
as the State Games.
Note: a clarification to your first question above is required --
IOC has two levels of recognition, first and highest is as an "Olympic
Sport" which means that the sport will be included in the actual Olympic
games. Next is as an IOC "Recognized Sport" which provides validation
and legitimacy to a sport as a real sport, and while "Recognized Sports"
do not yet compete in the Olympics itself, they are permitted to compete
in a variety of Olympics-related second tier games, such as the Asian
Games, the Pan-American Games, the World Indoor Games, etc. (Other
sports at the "Recognized" tier include billiards, bowling & golf, for
example. See: http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/recognized/index_uk.asp)
It is ITSF's goal to reach this second "Recognized" tier and reposition
from there. Leave no doubt, however, that this level is pivotal to the
future of the sport. As mentioned above, it would finally affirm
validity and legitimacy to the sport, resulting in much more media
attention and sponsorship participation, as well as added support from
sports ministries worldwide and growth to the player base.
So, yes. I do see IOC recognition for the sport in the future. The
momentum sure is building, but as previously indicated it will still
take a bit more time. Best guesstimate? Three more years, or at least
two from the date of GAISF recognition.
2) If table football does become an Olympic sport, what effect do you
think this would have on the industry (particularly from a
manufacturers' perspective)?
-- I believe the ITSF itself has provided a big boost to many of the
best manufacturers to date, having expanded their market opportunities
by bringing organized competition to a very large number of countries
where there had been none before, and via player feedback, by demanding
a greater degree of durability of cabinet and parts, and playability of
features. I personally believe that manufacturers with any kind of
quality product that are not already engaged with ITSF (or at least
renting booth space at the ITSF World Championships to demo their
product) are missing out big time. If ITSF succeeds in gaining IOC
recognition the current leading manufacturers that are involved will no
longer simply be selling coin-op amusement or home recreation games, but
Olympic athletic equipment -- a whole new marketing opportunity -- not
to mention being on the inside track as already recognized and used by
the majority of the top/most influential players from some 55 countries.
Current ITSF "Official" manufacturers are: Bonzini (France), Brunswick's
Tornado Table Soccer (USA), Garlando (Italy), Lehmacher's Tec-Ball
(Germany) and Roberto Sport (Italy). Current ITSF "Recognized"
manufacturers are: Rosengart (Czech Republic) and Leonhart (Germany).
Most all of these companies have been involved in the coin amusement and
recreation product industries for 35 or more years, which to me
indicates not only their degree of dedication to the product itself but
also the strength of support behind ITSF and it's goals.
I've also noticed an exponentially growing number of new entries
into coin and in particular, home markets by new manufacturers at recent
trade shows and in online sales venues, so somewhere people are noting
the worldwide organization and expansion of the sport and already hoping
to ride that tide. But I do think that further IOC recognition will
help all manufacturers new and established. The increased
respectability, media exposure and sponsor participation will be good
for manufacturers' sales, league and tournament promotions, operator
revenues, player participation -- everybody.
3) In which countries is table football most popular? Why do you think
this is?
-- There is a difference between the number of players who are members
and/or licensed to compete in ITSF World Pro Tour events via their
nation's ITSF federation, and the number of competitive players or
recreational players in total for each country. I'll give you an
estimate of the countries that have the combined largest total. (The
results are surprising to most!) First would be Luxembourg, then
Belgium, Germany, United States, France, Italy, Switzerland and perhaps
Netherlands. I listed them in order of total number of active players
but interestingly, if put in per capita order it would be nearly the
same but put the USA last of these. A special note should go out to
Costa Rica and Denmark for enduring player bases and to Austria, Costa
Rica, Malaysia, Lithuania and Bulgaria for recent significant growth.
The standouts are Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany, which all have a
long heritage of engagement in organized, competitive table soccer. As
one of the smallest countries in the world, Luxembourg's promoters have
nonetheless run national leagues with up to 10,000 participants at a
time. Belgium has led the continent in top-level players for the nearly
30 years again as a result of league promotions, and currently boasts
the number one player in the world among its ranks. In fact, the
success of the sport in any of the above listed countries has always
been organized promotions, be it leagues or tournaments. Darts and
perhaps billiards are much the same -- promotions intensive. But for a
dedicated league director and/or route operator, it can be a hugely
successful enterprise. In the USA that's always been 100% true. I've
also found that in places where "real" soccer is ingrained in the
public's life, table soccer is readily engaged. In the UK, for example,
there's a heavy concentration of top-flite table soccer players in the
Manchester area... Either way, ITSF has now brought organization and
promotions to at least 40 countries where it didn't exist before...
4) The ITSF Development Fund supports the growth of the game in 'less
privileged' countries. How are the funds obtained? Which countries are
you currently working with?
-- Funds are obtained via what might be termed an ITSF "tax" on partner
manufacturers. That is (with the understanding that these funds help
either new federations or federations from countries with a lower per
capita income level establish their organizations, create player base
building programs, run leagues, support tournaments, and
assemble/qualify national teams to participate in international
competition), each participating manufacturer has added the equivalent
of 50 Euros to the price of their tournament grade competition model
tables. For each such table sold, the full 50 Euro amount is then
forwarded to ITSF, which distributes it accordingly: a percentage goes
to member federations in the countries where the given manufacturer's
tables were sold, and the rest goes to the "less privileged" countries
(who are required to document their usage), such as Lithuania, Bulgaria,
China, India, South Africa, and more. While at first glance the
slightly higher prices do impact sales, the manufacturers have supported
this primarily as it builds their opportunities in new markets at an
accelerated rate while supporting the long term growth of the player
base.
5) There are currently just five official ITSF-endorsed tables. Do you
consider this endorsement a boon for Garlando, Roberto Sport and the
other manufacturers?
-- Yes. (Hopefully, I've answered this among all the above!)
6) Does ITSF endorsement increase manufacturers' overheads due to
specific quality requirements? If so, are these overheads offset through
the sponsorship exposure?
-- Yes. Also answered in part above. But I believe the quality
requirements of ITSF are the result of input from the players which in
some cases had been ignored by the manufacturers for many years. To
date, ITSF has not directed or ordered changes to the play
characteristics of any table for any manufacturer, but rather has
finally given voice to player concerns/issues. The result is much
greater quality, consistency, and in a few instances much greater
playability for the players -- the product's ultimate consumers. As
such, while overheads may be offset somewhat by increased product,
promotions and media visibility as well as expanded sponsorship exposure
and distribution opportunities, I believe much of it is offset to a
greater degree by sales resulting from finally satisfied customers.
(Imagine that! To me there's nothing more foolish than for a
manufacturer to design, build and attempt to sell/distribute a foosball
table without having taken into account the basic requirements of actual
players who know anything about the game -- and yet I see countless such
tables at every trade show and department store sporting goods section.)
7) Is there opportunity for other manufacturers to receive ITSF
endorsement?
-- Yes. ITSF has a specific process for that and as noted previously I
would recommend manufacturers already having a quality product not wait
on this. Those who wait will simply be left too far behind. Like the
IOC, ITSF has two levels of recognition for their "Partner
Manufacturers": Official and Recognized. The first stage is
Recognized, which does not take very long at all but for which there are
a number of criteria and benefits. Official status would take 4-6 years
on average; more in depth criteria and expanded benefits. ITSF's
website provides the processes in detail, but each begins with first
gaining endorsement recommendations from three of ITSF's member
federations, each of which may have their own processes or criteria for
endorsement, such as evaluations by Master players, use in demo
tournaments (with follow-on player surveys), etc. To be honest, some of
it may seem more detailed than a manufacturer may want to go through,
but in some sense that tends to reduce the number of requests to the
more sincere and/or motivated manufacturers, which in the end results in
more dedicated, enduring partnerships from all participants.
And, if I may insert my personal opinion here: I noted above an
increasing number of new manufacturers marketing an assortment of coin
and home tables and certainly this is a sign that they're aware of the
recent worldwide growth in foosball sales, promotions and participation.
But you can't just build any kind of table following a basic cabinet &
playfield layout, or try to be cute and come up with playing figures
that have interchangeable team uniforms or something "new" like that and
assume that if you build it, people will buy it the same as any other;
or because you somehow built it on the cheap and you've thereby undercut
the competition. Are there multiple sizes of table tennis tables? Are
there any billiards tables played on (by anyone who knows anything about
the game) that have wood or formica surfaces instead of slate? Are
there bowling lanes that are sloped or banked? Do golfers use clubs
that have looped shafts? Of course not, and yet countless manufacturers
think that with foosball it's all the same and may even consider the
most bizarre of features as "product differentiation." You will have
wasted a lot of time and money because there really is a difference to
anyone who cares about the game. With ITSF and its federations
worldwide actively striving to communicate the game and what it's all
about not only to the players but to the public at large, the number of
people who know the difference is rapidly growing.
To be totally frank, I really don't recommend NEW manufacturers
enter this market unless they're prepared to fully support their product
line by having pro player input into the table design, meeting the basic
international specifications and by genuinely ensuring product quality,
durability, playability, accessible customer service and active
involvement promotions over the long term. I won't say don't do it,
just do it right. Or, if still looking to "ride the tide" but not ready
for the commitment I've just suggested, look instead into table and
parts manufacture licensing from one of the seven ITSF partner
manufacturers -- if your plant in Malaysia or Bulgaria can produce the
cabinets, rods or other parts needed by a German manufacturer at the
same degree of quality demanded but at a lower price, you're in
business, I'd think. But the key is: act now.
8) The ITSF network stretches from India to the Ivory Coast. Why is
table football so popular around the world?
-- Nicely answered in #3 above. Soccer. The most loved and sometimes
hated sport in the world -- with foosball its natural extension in
miniature.
9) What do you see happening to the table football industry in the
short- to medium-term future?
-- This is a tough one. With home model billiards and table soccer
viewed by many as luxury home recreation items (for those with
disposable income), the current world economic situation is sure to be a
drag on sales for manufacturer, distributor and retailer alike. And as
many of us know, in many countries the traditional indoor sports games
of the coin-op industry and/or home markets such as billiards, darts,
table soccer and table tennis are fighting for floor space against
high-revenue video poker and other "fruit"/gaming machines or at home,
video games like Wii and Nintendo. This has been an increasingly
difficult battle for the last 25 years. Yet I see the table soccer
industry worldwide currently and continuing to grow in a big way very
much due to the efforts of ITSF, with new promotions, a worldwide pro
tour, 40 new countries organizing to build and expand their player
bases, and much more. ITSF's taking the game to a new level -- that of
a real, professional, Olympic-style sport has created a whole new
promotional angle that has never been realized before, and one that I
think can compliment or enhance traditional sales and distribution. At
the same time, the advent of the internet has brought significant
worldwide exchange of knowledge and information and brought players and
promoters together in new and dynamic ways that have resulted in better
coordination and concentration of promotional efforts.
Short term: good. Medium term: better. Long term: very good.
Manufacturers & sponsors: engage now!
Very respectfully submitted,
Larry Davis
President, USTSF
Executive Committee Member, ITSF
www.ustsf.org
www.table-soccer.org
"As for me, I believe that with foosball there's a sheer precipice
between "hobby" and "obsession" and I, I stepped over the edge 30 years
ago -- and will never climb out, ever." -- Larry Davis