https://documents.ittf.sport/sites/default/files/public/2024-02/2024_AGM_documents_EN_1.pdf
Co-CHAIRS OF THE ATHLETES COMMISSION (Sharath Kamal Achanta and Liu Shiwen)
Report to the AGM Document A10
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2. Activities of the Athletes Commission in 2023
The Athletes Commission Vice President, Elizabeta Samara, has joined and started
contributing to the ITTF World Ranking Working Group since September 2023.
Athletes Commission Co-Chairs attended the meeting of the EB at the IOC Headquarters in
Lausanne in December 2023, during which Mr Thomas Bach, President of the IOC, praised
the EB for having athlete representatives at the executive level. Achanta and Miss Feng
Tianwei signed the Wall of Olympians and received certificates from President Bach.
The Athletes Commission had two online meetings to discuss various topics: world ranking,
prize money, and tournament schedules. Issues discussed included World Ranking points
being included in the Mixed Team World Cup in Chengdu and the ITTF World Team Table
Tennis Championships in Busan; conflicting schedules for equally important tournaments
(e.g. Pan Am Games conflicting with WTT Frankfurt Champions; 13th African Games and
WTT Singapore Smash); and pathway to Paris Olympic Games 2024.
The Athletes Commission received feedback that athletes have been very satisfied with
some of the top events conducted this year, such as the World Championships, WTT
Frankfurt Champions, and Mixed Team World Cup.
3. Matters brought to the Executive’s Board Attention
Requests / Concerns from Players:
Concerns have been raised about reduced prize money compared to the 2022 season,
coupled with the expense increase to attend these tournaments. It was noted that the WTT
Feeder series tournaments’ prize money is not even enough to cover the expenses of even
the winner of the tournament, and playing WTT Series tournaments has become expensive
as players now spend nearly USD1,200 for 3-day hospitality.
Continued concerns and requests to announce the calendar well in advance so that
necessary preparations can be made. It is also requested that the tournaments do not
change after the prospectus has been published. World Ranking points were added in the
Mixed Team Cup just a few weeks before the tournament start date, which has been the
same situation with the World Team Championships in Busan, too.
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ITTF EQUIPMENT COMMITTEE (Rita BSAIBES)
Report to the AGM Document D-01
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SPORT DEVELOPMENT
Current projects
1. After Treatment of Racket Covering
The second event in Ljubljana involved significant activities and developments. Athletes
and federations were informed about the installation of the Racket Control/After Match
Control room and received an introduction along with hand-out materials for referees and
umpires. The procedure covered standard Racket Control before matches, collecting
rackets from athletes who lost their last match, and After Match Control involving visual
inspections, dismantling, and detailed measurements. All data were meticulously recorded
in an Excel file, accompanied by photo documentation. Experiences revealed that a
majority of the Top 30 Players attended the event. Voluntary dismantling by players
showed success, although there were challenges, including refusals. Device-wise, the
KÄFER J200 was deemed the most practical, providing stable results even for boosted
rubbers. Conclusions emphasized the effectiveness of dismantling inspections in detecting
cheating, recommended tolerances for testing devices, and the need for clarifications in
relative regulations. The timeline outlined a transition period for implementation by 2025.
2. Ball Bounce on Table (BBoT)
The playing tests conducted in Germany, China, and Japan revealed distinct friction
categories among the four tables, broadly classified as "Slippery," "Stopping," and
"Between." Notably, players easily distinguished differences between tables with high and
low friction levels, with BBoT measurements proving effective in identifying these
variations. Participants expressed a desire for more clarity regarding the designated tables
for upcoming events. The conclusions drawn include the efficacy of BBoT device in
categorizing table friction, the grouping of approved tables into three categories, the
distribution of relevant information to markets and event teams to enhance transparency
for all players, and the recommendation for periodic retesting over a five-year span to
maintain consistent friction levels, to be incorporated into the manual approval process.
3. Blade Material Liberalization
The material opening phase is underway, with details like the material list and timeline still
to be decided. This stage involves setting up the Blade-Approval-System, including
technical regulations and a testing/control system. In November, a factory tour in Sweden
was conducted. As a result, the decision was made to initiate the approval process, starting
with category approval. Additionally, definitions for various blade components will be
provided to include a wide range of blades available in the market.
4. Ball Retesting
When the ball undergoes testing, a subsequent three-year retest period will be initiated.
This new testing period is scheduled to commence from January 1, 2024. The three-year
retest cycle ensures a systematic and timely approach to maintaining the ball's compliance
with regulations.
https://documents.ittf.sport/sites/default/files/public/2024-02/2024_ITTF_Council_documents_EN.pdf
Propositions to the 2024 ITTF Council
Proposition IC-16 (Simple majority required)
Proposed by the Member Association of DEN
The Danish Table Tennis Federation suggests that ITTF WTTC and the Olympics is the most
important tournaments and therefore should be rewarded with more ranking points than all
other WTT tournaments.
Rationale:
We have a great tradition in the WTTC as our major tournament. The world title is deep in
people minds when it comes to table tennis. We do not believe that we can replace our great
tradition with a series of other events (WTT grand smashes, etc.).
We believe that our tradition with having the Olympic Games and the WTTC as our major
events is a tradition we should value.
