Photo: ITTF

 
The international table tennis governing body announced on Friday that it has created a dedicated task force to gather feedback from players and review existing regulations, following a statement from World Table Tennis (WTT) about the withdrawal of Chinese star players from the world rankings.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is fully committed to creating a supportive environment for players’ well-being and fostering open dialogue within the entire table tennis community, according to a statement released by the ITTF on Friday. 

As part of this initiative, players, their entourage and coaches, as well as related ITTF bodies will be consulted extensively. A Players’ Forum will also be held during the WTT’s Singapore Smash 2025 (from January 30 to February 9), providing an open platform for concerns to be raised, the statement read.

The WTT, the commercial and events company of the ITTF, said in a statement on Friday that it fully supports the ITTF Executive Board’s decision to establish a dedicated task force to address the concerns raised by players and to review existing regulations. 

As the global professional platform for the sport, the WTT recognizes the vital role players, coaches, and teams play in shaping the future of table tennis. The creation of this task force ensures that their voices are not only heard but are integral to the decision-making process. The Players’ Forum will provide an essential opportunity for open and constructive dialogue, underscoring the importance of transparency and inclusivity in the sport, the WTT said in the statement.

Liu Guoliang, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA), expressed concerns over recent WTT regulations that mandate player participation in specific events, imposing fines and ranking penalties for non-compliance, saying he would work to promote revisions to the relevant rules to protect the legitimate rights and interests of athletes, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Last week, Chinese Olympic champions Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng announced their withdrawal from the world rankings on social media. Both players cited physical limitations and the inability to participate in consecutive high-intensity tournaments as key reasons for their withdrawal. They said they were unable to comply with the WTT regulations, which impose fines on players for not participating in events. 

Addressing the withdrawal of the Chinese players from the world rankings, the WTT said in a statement that it deeply respects the contributions of Fan and Chen and welcomes them to return to WTT events should they wish to in the future.

The intent of these rules is to ensure that top-tier players are represented at key WTT events, preserving the integrity of global competition and delivering the highest quality events for players, fans and all partners, the WTT said.

Liu told Xinhua that Fan and Chen have made outstanding contributions to Chinese table tennis and the global table tennis community. They have won gold and silver medals in world competitions, bringing glory to the nation, and will undoubtedly become legends of the sport, Liu noted. 

“I fully understand, support, and respect their personal choices and decisions. I am committed to fully supporting athletes in safeguarding their rights and protecting their interests,” Liu said.

Regarding the WTT regulations, Liu said the mandatory participation requirements, penalties and fines should be reconsidered. “These measures place immense pressure on athletes. I think the WTT should establish 'participation exemptions' for veteran and distinguished athletes, while creating a 'prize pool' for younger athletes who actively participate. This approach would use positive incentives to encourage athletes in competitions. In the development of any sport, athletes are the most valuable asset and should be cherished."

The CTTA has been actively communicating and coordinating with international organizations such as the ITTF and WTT. The goal is to promote reasonable adjustments to competition regulations and ensure that athletes' legitimate rights are fully protected, Xinhua reported.