The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has established a task force to gather feedback from players and review existing regulations. This comes after three Olympic champions, Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Chen Meng, withdrew from the world rankings.
The task force will consult with players, coaches, and related ITTF bodies. A players' forum will also be held during the 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) Singapore Smash to provide an open platform for addressing concerns.
The ITTF is committed to creating a supportive environment for players and fostering open dialogue within the table tennis community. WTT has expressed its full support for the task force, recognizing the vital role players play in shaping the future of table tennis.
The task force includes Sharath Kamal Achanta, co-chair of the ITTF Athletes Commission, ITTF executive vice presidents Alaa Meshref and Wahid Oshodi, WTT executive director of events Mounir Bessah, and Polona Cehovin, WTT head of player relations.
Fan and Chen cited the WTT rules imposing fines on players for not participating in events as their reason for withdrawing from the world rankings. The Chinese Table Tennis Association has been actively engaging with the ITTF and WTT to advocate for reasonable adjustments to competition rules.
5 Comments
BuggaBoom
Why is it always the players who have to speak up? The ITTF should already know what needs to change!
Noir Black
Great initiative! The players certainly have valuable insights, and their voices should be heard.
Eugene Alta
Involving top players and athletes’ representatives in discussions shows commitment from the ITTF.
Loubianka
Seriously, a forum in 2025? That’s too little, too late! Players need quicker resolutions, not a waiting game.
Marishka
Fining players for not participating is ridiculous. The pressure on athletes is too high, and the ITTF needs to get with the times.