The ITTF Task Force, established to address players’ concerns, has been actively gathering feedback from all key stakeholders of the table tennis community. Over the past weeks, it has consulted directly with players, coaches, Member Associations, entourage representatives, and manufacturers to ensure a comprehensive review before finalising its recommendations.
Including Sharath Kamal Achanta, Co-Chair of the ITTF Athletes Commission, ITTF Executive Vice Presidents Dr. Alaa Meshref and Wahid Oshodi, as well as Mounir Bessah, WTT Executive Director of Events, and Polona Cehovin, WTT Head of Player Relations, the task force is reviewing current WTT event regulations and will present its findings and recommendations
Jean-Michel Saive, Chair of the ITTF Entourage Group, and Andreas Hain, President of the Federation of International Table Tennis Manufacturers (FIT), have also been officially added to the Task Force. Their inclusion ensures that perspectives from key stakeholders are directly integrated into the review process, further strengthening the Task Force’s comprehensive approach.
A key milestone in this process took place today at the Singapore Smash, where the Task Force hosted a dedicated Players’ Forum.
ITTF President Petra Sörling, ITTF Deputy President and WTT Chair Liu Guoliang, and ITTF Group CEO Steve Dainton were also in attendance, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to open dialogue.
Addressing the players, President Sörling stated: “WTT was created to elevate the professional pathway for players, but building a circuit takes time. We need your input to keep improving and growing the sport together. This is your platform—share your thoughts, voice your concerns, and help shape the future of table tennis.”
Achanta echoed this sentiment, “Our goal is to ensure that players and the structure around them evolve together, creating a stronger and more sustainable table tennis ecosystem—not just for us today, but for future generations of players.”
The Forum provided a platform for players to voice their thoughts on key regulations, including participation rules and ongoing adjustments to the 2025 WTT Handbook. Discussions also highlighted the need for more frequent and detailed communication with players.
Beyond the Players’ Forum, the Task Force has actively engaged with Member Associations, gathering direct feedback on the regulatory landscape. In addition to receiving spontaneous contributions from several associations, a dedicated meeting was held with the Chinese Table Tennis Association. The Task Force also reached out to Ma Long, Chen Meng, and Fan Zhendong to hear their specific situations.
With these extensive consultations, the Task Force is ensuring that upcoming decisions reflect the voices of those most affected. The finalized recommendations will include immediate actions and strategic long-term improvements with a clear timeline.
