Our Mission:

American Youth Table Tennis Organization’s Mission is to organize, develop, and implement innovative programs in the international sport of Table Tennis that promote the emotional and physical well-being of inner-city youth.

Our Philososphy

Our philosophy is to introduce, teach, and captivate our students through a wide variety of group games, fun skill building exercises. We follow national physical education teaching standards in which everyone participates and learns in a safe, fun and stimulating environment.

Table Tennis is not Ping Pong. It is a challenging, exciting, demanding, stimulating, tactical sport that is played at the Olympic Games and in every country in the world. We engage knowledgeable coaches, with extensive table tennis backgrounds, to teach, train and oversee our programs.

Through the sport of table tennis, we infuse, leadership, team work, fair play, and health related fitness into our lesson plans. We teach table tennis as it should be taught.

History 

The American Youth Table Tennis Organization, a 501(c) (3) organization, was founded in May 2001 by a group of table tennis enthusiasts, with the purpose of introducing the Olympic Sport of Table Tennis to disadvantaged youth.

What started out as one small successful program at the Hoe Avenue Boy’s and Girl's Club has expanded to a New York city-wide initiative in which AYTTO has coordinated over 20 after-school and in- school programs for York York City public schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Public School Athletic Leagues.

In 2004, AYTTO affiliated with a group in the Boston Area. This group, using AYTTO’s program design and coaching techniques has successfully initiated programs in two schools.

Over the past two years, AYTTO has provided quality instruction to over 600 children in various low income areas of New York City including the Lower East Side, South Bronx, East New York, Red Hook, Harlem, Greenpoint, and Bushwick.

Board Members:

Barbara Carson, Board Member

Barbara Carson is an independent management consultant specializing in situation assessment and alternative selection. She previously worked as a Managing Director in Citibank’s Global Consumer Group and has an extensive background organizational strategic planning, and systems integration.

Andy Chen, Secretary.

Mr. Chen is an attorney at ABN AMRO Bank and formerly worked at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. He is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School and has advised various nonprofit sports organizations on various legal and governance issues.

Mel Eisner, Board Member.

Mr. Eisner, an actuary (FSA) with a passion for Table Tennis, served for 5 years as elected Board Member, and 2 years as President of USATT (1983-1990). He was also President (1965-1980) of The Greater New York Table Tennis League, a non-profit association.

John McFadden, Board Member.

Mr. McFadden, a career banking professional, led JP Morgan Chase Technology Group as an Senior Vice President and Managing Director. He is a supporter of youth charities and an avid table tennis player

Ben Nisbet, Director.

Mr. Nisbet is currently employed by Sports & Arts In Schools Foundation as a Program Director. His work experience includes 12 years as a commercial lender for ABN AMRO Bank and two years as Executive Director of USA Table Tennis, the national governing body for the sport.

Santos Shi, Board Member.

Virginia Sung, Board Member.

Ms. Sung is currently the president and CEO of Cici Girl, an international cosmetics firm, based in Shanghai, China. Ms. Sung, who now spends most of her time in China, has represented the USA Women’s Team in international competitions and was a world ranked athlete in the sport.

Program Support:

Muhammad Pirzada, Director of Programs.