Is ITTF corrupt? 🤔

[igorponger]

IS ITTF CORRUPT? Hmm, it sounds a VERY PLAUSIBLE assumption in the light of the present evidences.

Oh, my God, we can now see ITTF afforded china brands free rein to produce bastard rubbers in crooky manner --the many of china rubbers being now marketed without formal ITTF approval, under false brand names.

The uppermost case arousing rightful suspicions of ittf integrity is the novelty STN 3 rubber, --an other illegitimate product to detract a lot from ITTF reputation. Shame, shame, shame on them all.

A CAUTION TO NOTE.

STN 62 --021 is the only statutory product awarded with ITTF approval and allowed for ITTF logo. . No bastard derivatives, -- STN 2, STN3, etc. -- may be used in a rated competition.
-----------------------
FAIR PLAY FIRST.

 

[silas6012]

Surely, only legal rubbers can be used in formal competitions, but as an amateur, I do not mind unapproved rubbers being supplied at more affordable prices as long as they play good.

 

[haggisv]

Oh, my God, we can now see ITTF afforded china brands free rein to produce bastard rubbers in crooky manner --the many of china rubbers being now marketed without formal ITTF approval, under false brand names.

I'm not a fan of the ITTF, but how do you propose the ITTF stop these manufacturers? Hire some mercenaries and raid their factory?

 

[WingTT]

ITTF is essentially a table tennis equipment mafia. It has been corrupt since the days of Adham Sharara.

 

[Der_Echte]

Do we need a Blue Ribbon Committee full investigation into why the ground is wet after it rains?

It is just wetter in areas Igor did not yet describe.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Do we need a Blue Ribbon Committee full investigation into why the ground is wet after it rains?

It is just wetter in areas Igor did not yet describe.

are we talking Russian and sports corruption here?

 

[zeio]

According to Sanwei, the Target series is up to the 3rd generation now, advertised as 标靶3 in Chinese, or Target 3 in English. The latest Target National has the new ITTF number 62-021. The 1st generation has the ITTF number 62-001. The 2nd generation has the ITTF number 62-001, and 62-015 for Europe. The M3 doesn't care about/test for formulation update or tackiness. All 3 ITTF numbers are valid as of this writing. Donic has done similar things with its older models. Palio has also been updating its old models with new technology, namely AK47 and CJ8000.

2007-2008
1st-gen
62-001 Sanwei Target w/ white text on red background

2009-2015
62-001 Sanwei Target w/ white on red (changed to high-density bean-green color sponge)
62-001 Sanwei Target w/ yellow on red (1st-gen Provincial Target)
<- an industry first to combine porous sponge with Chinese tacky FH topsheet ->
62-001 Sanwei Target w/ yellow on blue (Next-gen National Target)

2015-2023
2nd-gen
62-001 Sanwei Target w/ red and black on white
62-001 Sanwei Target 90 w/ red on black (90% tackiness)
62-015 Sanwei Target Pro 40+ w/ black and white on silver (for Europe, grippy topsheet, crunchy-elastic black carbon sponge, wrongly stated as 62-016 in the chronology image)
62-001 Sanwei Target Pro[vincial] w/ yellow on red (2nd-gen Provincial Target, more tacky and durable)
62-0?? (can't find a picture) Sanwei Target Pro[vincial] w/ white on blue (Pronincial blue sponge Target, more tacky, durable and outstanding toughness)
62-001 Sanwei Target National with yellow on blue (2nd-gen National Target, more tacky and durable)

2024
3rd-gen
62-021 Sanwei Target w/ silver on silver
62-021 Sanwei Target 37° w/ red on white
62-021 Sanwei Target Provincial w/ red on red (3rd-gen Provincial Target)
<- Super pure natural rubber, 1000 mesh high-precision mold, extra thick tacky cover-rubber layer, highly elastic moderately porous sponge ->
62-021 Sanwei Target National w/ blue on blue (3rd-gen National Target)

https://cn.sanweisport.com/prod/标靶3（第三代）国家队版/

 

[JJ Ng]

I guess the other thread on STN triggered this thread.

On a side note, table tennis is such a niche sport, there is not much in it, for everyone. So if there was corruption, how much money was involved? I mean, ITTF would not even sue him in a court due to lack of finances.

Let us be honest. It is not like Nike is sponsoring any table tennis equipment. By contrast, Tiger Woods made Nike golf go on the map (although now Nike has exited its golf business).

I don't care how good Ma Long is. You cannot even remotely compare Ma Long to Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan in terms of world wide popularity. That just shows how much table tennis is a niche sport.

Working at ITTF probably does not make you much salary. I imagine an average engineer or architect in North America makes more money than any staff on ITTF payroll. For God's sake, they cannot even pay players on time after each WTT event!

Or maybe the lack of salary is what drove Adham Sharara into siphoning some money to himself?

 

[zeio]

Corruption? Oh, you mean lobbying. There is no doubt about it. ESN lobbied the ITTF against the "liberation" of after-market booster when Claudia Herweg, former managing director of ESN, was heading the equipment committee.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

I guess the other thread on STN triggered this thread.

On a side note, table tennis is such a niche sport, there is not much in it, for everyone. So if there was corruption, how much money was involved? I mean, ITTF would not even sue him in a court due to lack of finances.

Let us be honest. It is not like Nike is sponsoring any table tennis equipment. By contrast, Tiger Woods made Nike golf go on the map (although now Nike has exited its golf business).

I don't care how good Ma Long is. You cannot even remotely compare Ma Long to Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan in terms of world wide popularity. That just shows how much table tennis is a niche sport.

Working at ITTF probably does not make you much salary. I imagine an average engineer or architect in North America makes more money than any staff on ITTF payroll. For God's sake, they cannot even pay players on time after each WTT event!

Or maybe the lack of salary is what drove Adham Sharara into siphoning some money to himself?

I think the only companies benefiting from TT celebrity is Chinese corporate with its sponsorship of Chinese stars, this is due to the huge chinese market.
but outside of china, zero

igor has been fascinating too much and giving ITTF way too much credit.
there is so little money in the sport, compared to that of the russian gov and its sports organization. that is huge money.
he talks about cheating, or scandals, but russian athletes are bigger victims than that of ITTF members and athletes.
when last have you heard of Russian table tennis players... it is a sad story really

 

[zeio]

Butterfly, Stiga, and ESN have all expressed that China is their biggest market. Russia was the biggest European market for ESN, though the European market has been stagnant for a long time according to Stiga and ESN.

 

[SFF_lib]

IS ITTF CORRUPT? Hmm, it sounds a VERY PLAUSIBLE assumption in the light of the present evidences.

Oh, my God, we can now see ITTF afforded china brands free rein to produce bastard rubbers in crooky manner --the many of china rubbers being now marketed without formal ITTF approval, under false brand names.

The uppermost case arousing rightful suspicions of ittf integrity is the novelty STN 3 rubber, --an other illegitimate product to detract a lot from ITTF reputation. Shame, shame, shame on them all.

A CAUTION TO NOTE.

STN 62 --021 is the only statutory product awarded with ITTF approval and allowed for ITTF logo. . No bastard derivatives, -- STN 2, STN3, etc. -- may be used in a rated competition.
-----------------------
FAIR PLAY FIRST.

View attachment 32370

If your definition of corruption is doing favours to whoever pays you the most, then yes. Almost all political parties and NGOs are corrupt by this definition including the UN.

 

[ViperTableTennis]

Surely, only legal rubbers can be used in formal competitions, but as an amateur, I do not mind unapproved rubbers being supplied at more affordable prices as long as they play good.

The problem with that is that if you allow unapproved rubbers at any level, then that level of sport is unregulated and loses credibility. Having stipulations around "affordability" and "as long as they play good" are subjective characteristics, so they are meaningless at giving any structure to the sport because what is good and affordable to me isn't necessarily good and affordable to you. There's 1000's of approved rubbers to choose from (arguably too many!), so I see no legitimate reason why anyone should feel the need to use a rubber that is not approved.

 

[Der_Echte]

Yes, true zeio about China being largest tt market... and even Nexy Korea sees this and stepped up efforts to get into Chinese market.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Yes, true zeio about China being largest tt market... and even Nexy Korea sees this and stepped up efforts to get into Chinese market.

good to see Nexy sponsoring few players out there

 

[zeio]

Yes, true zeio about China being largest tt market... and even Nexy Korea sees this and stepped up efforts to get into Chinese market.

Yeah, I've seen videos of JSH promoting for Nexy.

 

[Lizh with skVII]

IDK，但我相信 WTT 是。他们的门票价格很高，但他们仍然欠球员薪水。

 

[Heming Hu]

yes, big fat yes

 

[zeio]

What years was this ?

ITTF Appoints New Equipment Manager
https://www.ittf.com/2018/09/28/ittf-appoints-new-equipment-manager/
Claudia Herweg Elected New President of DTTB
https://www.ittf.com/2021/12/13/claudia-herweg-elected-new-president-dttb/

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...es-retirement-from-wtt-ittf.36209/post-500826

Welcome to the dark side of table tennis (no pun intended).

Petra Sorling, current president of ITTF (2021-), is a former SBTF president (2013-2022, 2005-2013);
Thomas Weikert, former president of DTTB (2005-2015), is a former ITTF president (2014-2021);
Adham Sharara, current president of TTCanada (?-), is a former ITTF president (1999-2014);
Claudia Herweg, former president of DTTB (2021-2023) and former Managing Director of ESN (1993-2011), served as the Head of the ITTF Equipment (2018-2021), the new office of which is in Cologne, where Claudia Herweg Consulting (2012-) is also located.

---

For future reference so I don't have to dig them up again.

https://documents.ittf.sport/sites/default/files/public/2023-04/2022-10-09_EC_Minutes_p.pdf

5.5.2. Equipment
The EC noted that the ITTF is seeking an equipment manager following Ms Claudia
HERWEG election as DTTB President.

https://documents.ittf.sport/sites/default/files/public/2023-04/2022-12-03_EC_Minutes_p.pdf

5.5.2. Equipment
Mr SYMONS expressed being pleased with the hiring of the new Head of Equipment.

https://documents.ittf.sport/sites/default/files/public/2023-04/2022-07-26_27_EC_Minutes_p_0.pdf

5.5.2. Equipment
The EC noted the report of Mr SYMONS on the process of hiring a Head of Equipment, and
the current areas of focus, with the measurement devices when dismantling rackets, the
different types of surfaces and their impact on the ball bounce, and the materials for the
blades. Among the upcoming focus, Mr SYMONS named sustainable materials for equipment
and the net height study, which will involve the AC and the SSMC.
The EC noted that although the balls utilised in the Europe Summer Series did pass the quality
controls, athletes and coaches complained about them. Therefore, it was agreed to review
the standards for ball approvals.

https://documents.ittf.sport/sites/default/files/public/2023-07/2023-03-17_EB_Minutes_p.pdf

5.9.3. Equipment
The EB welcomed Mr Ivan CHEN to the position of Equipment Manager. Mr SYMONS
commented on two propositions that will be eventually presented for EB consideration to
be submitted to the AGM and on the progress of the pilot project on racket control. Mr
CHEN added that the data from the two events in which the project was held is being
reviewed and, eventually, another two events will be proposed for new tests in order to
collect more data.

https://documents.ittf.sport/sites/default/files/public/2024-02/2023-08-21_EB_Minutes_p.pdf

11.3. Committee Updates
The EB noted the proposal from the nominations committee and noted that the EB has the
prerogative to propose names of committee chairs to the ITTF Council at the meeting on
Wednesday. Within the package of documents, there is the full list of nominees from the
associations, proposed names from committee members, and the EB would have to make a
decision on the chairs. Mr CALIN went through the list and explained that Sustainability is a new
committee.
Mr MAEHARA raised a comment on the Equipment Committee, noting that there are several
large table tennis equipment managers in Japan. Mr MAEHARA opined that it would be good to
include a Japanese member in the Equipment Committee to communicate better and allow the
ITTF to maintain better relationships with these equipment manufacturers.
Mr CALIN acknowledged Mr MAEHARA’s comments and noted that the EB duty is proposing the
Committee Chairs to the ITTF Council.
Ms SÖRLING acknowledged Mr MAEHARA’s comment and noted that this would be addressed
after a vote has been taken on proposal from the nominations committee.

20230821-EB-06
The Executive Board approved a proposed list of Chairs for the ITTF Council.

Ms SÖRLING noted the diversity within the committees and noted the importance of having the
regions active. Ms SÖRLING remarked that the ITTF should always look of course to competence,
but that it was good to see diversity as well.
Mr CALIN addressed Mr MAEHARA’s specific question from earlier. It was noted that the EB does
not have a say on the Nominations for Committees Members, as this is a prerogative of the
Nominations Committee. Mr CALIN explained that the ITTF Constitution specifies that a
minimum of 25% of members have to be female if nominations are received. As such, the names
of two women have been included in the list, both of them being from Asia. It was noted that
Dr MESHREF and Mr OSHODI recommended that ITTF EB could appoint the Japanese member
as a special advisor, co-opted by the EB and this would not be in contravention of the procedures
of the Nomination Committee.
Ms SÖRLING noted that there have been appointed special advisors in the past. Ms SÖRLING
then put before the EB for approval: the appointment of HASEGAWA Atsushi (JPN) as special
advisor for the equipment committee.

20230821-EB-07
The Executive Board approved the appointment of HASEGAWA Atsushi (JPN) as special advisor for
the equipment committee.

Mr CALIN reported on the meeting held the previous evening with Mr OSHODI, Dr MESHREF,
and the Nominations Committee Chair, Mr AL-MULLA, in which the committees were reviewed,
noting that there was an inconsistency with the ITTF Constitution in the Sustainability
Committee, where there would be one member from each continent. It was agreed to encourage
the missing Continents (Americas and Oceania) to propose a member that can be co-opted for
the rest of the mandate.
In relation to the URC, after having hired Ms Tina CROTTA as Match Officials Manager, the first
ever staff to focus specifically on Technical Officials, it was counter-intuitive to increase the size
of the URC, particularly when the Council decided a reduction the previous year.
Ms SÖRLING noted that the EB should be ready to move on in this area as well and thanked Mr
CALIN for his contribution in solving this important matter. Ms SÖRLING expressed hope that all
the members in the nominations committee have been updated and that communication remains
very important.
Mr AL-MOHANNADI raised the issue of Swiss Table Tennis. Mr CALIN noted that for the ease of
communication, he would discuss with Swiss Table Tennis. A meeting was called in July wherein
Mr CALIN explained the severity of the case to Swiss Table Tennis representatives and shared
that DTTB had paid a compensation to the ITTF in relation to the “DTTB Letter” case. Mr CALIN
noted that following the meeting, Swiss Table Tennis had clearer idea on why a financial
compensation was requested by the ITTF besides the public apology. It was agreed that once
the proposed draft of apology is ready, it should be shared with the affected person, Mr AL-
MOHANNADI, for his approval.
Ms SÖRLING noted that this issue with Swiss Table Tennis is indeed more severe than the issue
with DTTB and looked forward to a progress report at the next meeting.

 

[WingTT]

It was not corrupt before him ?

From what I've heard, ITTF was not corrupt under presidents who were themselves pro table tennis players like Ogimura.