ITTF Continental Federations and Voting Procedures

Continental Federations Affiliation

• Continental Federations affiliate with the ITTF based on established criteria.

• Affiliation proposals originate from the Continental and Development Council.

• Continental Federations renew their affiliation every four years, post-Olympic Games.

• Agreements are made for specific strategic aims.

• Goals of affiliation:

  • Enhanced cooperation in events and marketing.
  • Legal recognition of federations within ITTF constitution.
  • Development funding for affiliated federations.
  • Use of ITTF brand and customised continental logos.
  • Marketing support and commercial agreements through MOUs.
  • Linking continental events with ITTF world title events to improve marketing.

Voting Procedures

• Decisions are made by simple majority unless otherwise specified.

• Amendments to the constitution, suspensions, expulsion, acceptance of late proposals, and revocation of World Championships options require a two-thirds majority.

• Changes to the Laws of Table Tennis require a three-fourths majority.

• Dissolution of the ITTF requires a four-fifths majority.

• Tie votes on administrative/financial matters are resolved by the chair's casting vote.

• Tie votes on other matters result in the motion failing.

• Voting methods depend on the meeting's decision, using options like show of hands, electronic devices, roll call, or secret ballot.

• Scrutinizer Nomination:

  • Each Continental Federation president nominates two scrutineers.
  • Scrutineers are chosen from an alphabetized list, excluding representatives with direct interest in the motion.
  • Scrutineers are essential for votes requiring their presence, encompassing both procedural votes and elections.

ITTF Integrity Unit

• An independent body within the ITTF.
• Responsibilities include investigating and prosecuting compliance, discipline, and integrity infringements before ITTF tribunals or other judicial bodies.
• The unit also educates stakeholders on integrity and protects table tennis integrity.
• Supervised by the Integrity Board and includes the Head of Integrity and necessary staff.
• The unit is directly accountable to the AGM or EGM.
• The unit operates according to ITTF Integrity Regulations.

Continental Council

• An extension of the ITTF Executive Committee.
• Meets on a yearly schedule authorised by the Executive Committee and at other times called by the ITTF President.

Dissolution of ITTF

• Dissolution requires a special Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).
• Remaining funds are divided equally among associations not in arrears during dissolution.

Table Tennis Laws - Table

• Table dimensions: 2.74m long, 1.525m wide, 76cm above the floor.
• Material and bounce properties: Uniform dark/matt surface, 23cm bounce from 30cm drop.
• Side and end lines: 2cm wide, white.

Table Tennis Laws - Net Assembly

• Net height: 15.25 cm above playing surface.
• Post height: 15.25 cm outside the side line.
• Net attachment: Fixed from top to bottom on posts.

Table Tennis Laws - Rackets

• Covering material restrictions: Matt black on one side, bright contrasting colour on the other.
• Covering material types: Without physical or chemical treatment.

Table Tennis Laws - Playing the Game

• Rally: Period the ball is in play from being projected until point or let.
• Let: Result is not scored
• Point: Result is scored
• Hand Positions: Racket hand, free hand, and arm definitions.
• Obstruction: Player/accoutrement touching the ball that hasn't touched that player's court since the opponent struck it.
• Service: Ball projected vertically, without spin, at least 16cm rise

Table Tennis Laws - Service (Continued)

• Initial position: Ball resting on open palm, stationary.

• Projection: Projected near vertically, rise, then fall without touching anything before it’s struck.

• Trajectory: Touches server's court then receiver's court, or right court for doubles.

• Position of projection and movement of server: Ball must be above table level and behind end line during projection, not hidden from receiver by server or doubles partner or objects.

• Removal of serving arm: After projecting, remove arm and hand from the space defined by ball, net, and upward projection.

• Umpire Responsibilities: Responsibility for the umpire or assistant umpire to determine service legality.. Warning may be issued to the server on initial occasion if service is unclear.. Additional incorrect services by same player or partner are considered incorrect.

• Disability Exception: Unusual cases where compliance is prevented due to a physical disability.

Table Tennis Laws - Return

• Ball touch: After service or return, ball must touch opponent’s court, directly or after contacting the net assembly.