参考消息

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) said on Sunday that a dedicated task force has been actively gathering feedback from all key stakeholders in the

The task force, formed earlier this year to address players' concerns, consulted players, coaches, member associations, entourage representatives, and manufacturers over recent weeks to conduct a thorough review before finalizing its recommendations, the ITTF noted in a press release.

In addition to several previously announced members, such as Sharath Kamal Achanta, co-chair of the ITTF Athletes Commission, the task force also includes Jean-Michel Saive, chair of the ITTF Entourage Group, and Andreas Hain, president of the Federation of International Table Tennis Manufacturers.

During the ongoing World Table Tennis (WTT) Singapore Smash, the task force held a dedicated Players' Forum, attended by ITTF president Petra Sorling, ITTF deputy president and WTT chair Liu Guoliang, and ITTF Group CEO Steve Dainton.

"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," said Sorling. "This is your platform - share your thoughts, voice your concerns, and help shape the future of table tennis."

"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," Achanta echoed.

According to the ITTF, the forum allowed players to express their views on key regulations, including participation rules and ongoing adjustments to the 2025 WTT Handbook.

Besides the forum, the task force has consulted member associations for direct feedback on the regulatory framework, with additional spontaneous contributions from several associations. A dedicated meeting also took place with the Chinese Table Tennis Association.

The task force further contacted Ma Long, Chen Meng, and Fan Zhendong, who withdrew from the world rankings at the end of 2024, to understand their specific circumstances.

"With these extensive consultations, the task force is ensuring that upcoming decisions reflect the voices of those most affected," said the ITTF.