The International Table Tennis Federation mourns the loss of Gorazd Vecko, member of the ITTF Para Table Tennis Committee and one of the most respected figures in global para table tennis.
Vecko served as tournament director for International Para table tennis Committee events from 2009 to 2015 and was appointed to the ITTF Para Table Tennis Committee in 2021, where he played an active role in shaping the federation’s Para Table Tennis Strategic Plan and advancing the sport’s global development.
Born in Ljubljana in 1972, he began his coaching career in Slovenia, guiding Mateja Pintar to her historic Paralympic gold medal at Athens 2004 — the country’s first in para table tennis.
Since 2009, he had been at the heart of British Para Table Tennis, leading the team to outstanding success, including 19 Paralympic medals and multiple World and European titles. Recognised for his lifelong dedication, he was awarded an MBE in 2023 for services to British Para table tennis.
The ITTF extends its sincere condolences to his family, friends, and the Para table tennis community worldwide.
