ITTF approved blades?

To be honest, I really do not know. To which rule to you refer? Do you mean that the blade has rto be composed of at least 85% wood materials?

If this is what you mean, this rule has been in effect for a very long time. But if you mean why limit to just 85%? I really do not know. When I ask this question the answer given to me by the experts is that they wish to maintain some type of uniformity in the blades, and if any type of material would be allowed, we would not know what would happen. But frankly speaking, in the very near future, we will start authorization or maybe approval of blades. So, the whole question will be reviewed.

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1. It is a request from manufacturers and associations to start an authorization system for the SPONGE and the BLADES just like for the rubbers. This is still at the research stage at the moment to study the feasibility. The SPONGE will be first. At the moment the ITTF only authorizes the rubber but not the sponge.

2. We have encountered many ambiguities about detaching and regluing sponge to rubber etc. There is also the whole issue of tuning and boosting sponge but not the rubber, etc. So it is felt that both parts should be the "racket covering". Regarding BLADES, we have discovered that some manufacturers actually shave the blade (concave shaving) in order to allow for thicker rubber to be used, or to allow for the expansion of the rubber when boosted. So the manufacturers that follow the rules are not happy. They find that it is cheating and unfair. We agree. Also some national associations have complained as they suspect that some players may be using these type of blades at the ITTF events. So we wish to control this matter before it goes out of hand and ensure a level playing field. Until now we used the honour system and relied on the manufacturers to produce the equipment according to the ITTF rules. Unfortunately some are not following the rules (85% wood, flat, even, etc.) and it forces us to put a system in place to control the equipment before it goes to market.

3. Mainly an even playing field and knowing that if a blade carries the ITTF logo and authorization then it is according to ITTF rules. The same applies to the sponge. Basically the same type of "stamp of recognition" that rubbers have today. For players using legal blades there will be no difference at all. Of course there will be a phasing in period, and also the blade will be monitored at racket control stations at our events, just like the rest of the racket is checked.

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On the proposal to introduce blade authorisation or approval (these
details have probably not been worked out yet I suspect?)
- If the ITTF does start approving blades, when a blade manufacturer goes
out of business (or dies) and stops paying annual fees, are we no longer
allowed to use our blades?

Adham: No, usually there is a period of time allowed. For example for Rubbers it is 10 years, with periodical testing on the market to ensure compliance. The same would happen with blades. Then of course they will deplete on the market in any case.


- If a particular model of blade is discontinued.. must the manufacturer
continue to pay annual ITTF listing fees on it lest it be purged from the
approved equipment list?

Adham: Yes, just like rubbers today. Some are discontinued but the stock with retailers is still large, then the Manufacturer continues to pay the yearly authorization fee. But this amount is very small. The large amount is the "first" authorization, the yearly renewal is minimal ($200-$300 per year)

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