The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) General Assembly showcased Qatar’s significant role in the international table tennis arena as it elected Qatari referee Hassan Al Amri as Chairman of the Umpires Committee within the federation. The decision was reached during the meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand, on the sidelines of the ITTF Summit, with Assistant Secretary General of the Qatari Federation Ali Sultan Al Muftah also securing a spot on the pioneers committee for former players.
Both selections received unanimous endorsements, further underscoring Qatar’s substantial influence in the global table tennis community. Notably, Khalil bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi, President of the Qatari, Arab, and Asian Federation, holds the esteemed position of Vice President of the International Federation.
The attendees at the meeting commended these selections, which are set to endure until the 2025 World Cup. Such achievements were facilitated by the transparent practices of the appointments committee led by Qatari Abdullah Yousuf Al Mulla.
Qatar’s contributions to the sport continue to yield remarkable results. Notably, a proposal to expand the number of teams participating in the World Championships received endorsement, along with the decision to hold the International Federation’s General Assemblies annually alongside the World Championships.
The decision to increase the number of teams to 64 from the previous 40 in the 2025 World Championships aims to elevate technical proficiency across countries. This strategic move is expected to enhance the financial standing of the International Federation while concurrently affording national associations increased revenue from marketing and television broadcasting rights.
An additional resolution involves the synchronization of General Assemblies with the World Championships in the same year. This approach is intended to expand the realm of competition and foster broader participation in the World Championships.
During the meeting, Tunisian Sherif Al Hajjam, the former president of the Tunisian and African Federations, was unanimously awarded lifelong honorary membership of the International Federation. This recognition serves to acknowledge his pivotal contributions to international table tennis and the federation over the years.
Al Muhannadi extended his congratulations to the accomplished individuals selected for various committees within the International Federation, wishing them success in their regional and global service to the sport.
Following the meeting, Al Muhannadi congratulated the UK and Bahrain delegations for their success in hosting future events. London secured the bid to host the 2026 World Team Championships, while Manama won the right to host the World Youth Championships in the same year for the first time in history.