ITTF Handbook 2022 PDF

The International Table Tennis Federation Handbook 2022 The ITTF encourages the reproduction of information from this Handbook provided that the source is mentioned. 1. CONSTITUTION The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), founded in 1926, is the world-governing body of the sport of table tennis with 227 member Associations in the world. The ITTF supervises the staging of World Championships annually, and several other world title events. Around 120 international tournaments are sanctioned by the ITTF yearly. Its main function is to govern and develop the sport for the benefit of over thirty million competitive players in all parts of the world. Table Tennis is an Olympic and Paralympic sport and is in the programme of the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as of all Multisport Games. Publication of the ITTF Handbook: First edition 1927 Further editions 1928, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1951, 1954, 1956, 1959, 1967, 1975, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 Fiftieth edition 2022 Published by: The International Table Tennis Federation Avenue de Rhodanie 54 1007 Lausanne Switzerland ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 2 CONTENTS Page 1 Constitution 4 2 The Laws of Table Tennis 34 3 Regulations for International Competitions 41 4 Regulations for World, Olympic, and Paralympic Title Competitions 63 5 Anti-Doping Rules 96 6 Code of Ethics 160 7 Anti-Harassment Policy and Procedures 186 8 ITTF Tribunal 190 9 ITTF Integrity Regulations 210 10 ITTF Electoral and Appointment Regulations 238 Code of Conduct on sports betting for players and officials 251 Index 253 Paragraphs which have been introduced or significantly amended as a result of decisions made at the 2021 Annual General Meeting or the 2021 Board of Directors Meeting are shown as green shaded (additions) or scratched (deletions) in the version with tracked changes. This document you are reading is the clean version. ITTF website (ITTF.com) The current ITTF Handbook is available in its entirety on the ITTF website for printing or downloading. Please consider the environment before printing it. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 3 1 CONSTITUTION CONTENTS 1.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS 1.1.1 Name 1.1.2 Composition 1.1.3 Principles 1.1.4 Objectives 1.1.5 Legal status 1.2 MEMBERSHIP 1.2.1 Eligibility 1.2.2 Application and election 1.2.3 Suspension, termination, and other sanctions 1.2.4 Rights of the Associations 1.2.5 Obligations of the Associations 1.3 ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS 1.3.1 Continental Federations 1.3.2 Continental Federations affiliation 1.3.3 Other groups of Associations 1.4 HONORARY POSITIONS 1.4.1 Honorary President 1.4.2 President’s Advisory Council 1.4.3 Personal Honorary Membership 1.5 GOVERNANCE 1.5.1 Annual General Meeting (referred as "AGM") 1.5.2 Extraordinary General Meeting (referred as “EGM”) 1.5.3 Board of Directors (referred as "Board") 1.5.4 Executive Committee 1.5.5 ITTF Integrity Unit 1.5.6 ITTF Continental Council 1.5.7 Committees and Commissions 1.5.8 Other appointments 1.5.9 Eligibility for office 1.5.10 Conflict of interest 1.5.11 Changes to rules 1.5.12 Application of Electoral and Appointment Regulations ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 4 1: Constitution 1.6 ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 1.6.1 Management Staff 1.6.2 Administration 1.7 FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 1.7.1 Accounts 1.7.2 Trustees 1.7.3 Subscriptions 1.8 JUDICIAL PROVISIONS 1.8.1 Judicial bodies of the ITTF 1.8.2 ITTF Tribunal 1.8.3 Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) 1.8.4 Jurisdiction of Associations 1.8.5 Unaffiliated players and organisations 1.9 FINAL PROVISIONS 1.9.1 Dissolution 1.9.2 Concluding provisions ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 5 1: Constitution 1.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS 1.1.1 NAME 1.1.1.1 The Federation shall be called the International Table Tennis Federation, referred to elsewhere in this Constitution by its abbreviated title "ITTF". 1.1.2 COMPOSITION 1.1.2.1 The ITTF shall consist of the affiliated table tennis organisations, referred to elsewhere in the Rules as "Associations", governing the sport in accordance with the principles of the ITTF in any territory generally regarded as constituting a national, historical or other unity. 1.1.2.2 Associations shall not be regarded as agents of the ITTF. 1.1.3 PRINCIPLES 1.1.3.1 The principles of the ITTF shall be general unity of action, mutual respect of Associations in their dealings with one another and the inadmissibility of discrimination against Associations or individuals on racial, political, religious, gender or other grounds. 1.1.3.2 The ITTF is committed to providing a sport and work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual has the right to participate and work in an environment which promotes equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices. 1.1.3.3 The ITTF is committed to providing a sport environment free of harassment on any basis without exception. 1.1.3.3.1 The ITTF Tribunal has jurisdiction to impose appropriate disciplinary sanctions from warnings to exclusions from all kind of activity in the ITTF, when a complaint of harassment has been substantiated or if a false accusation has been substantiated. 1.1.3.4 The ITTF is committed to take a responsible approach to safeguarding the environment and managing resources through its practices in hosting events and in managing its operations. 1.1.3.5 The ITTF shall observe the general and fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter, including, but not limited to, the Code of Ethics and Compliance; the Code of Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions, the Olympic Movement Medical Code and the IPC Handbook; and no provision of this Constitution shall be deemed to conflict with or derogate from those principles. 1.1.3.6 The ITTF shall co-operate with the IOC, ASOIF, GAISF, IPC, and other organisations that recognise it as the controlling and governing authority for table tennis throughout the world. 1.1.4 OBJECTIVES 1.1.4.1 The objectives of the ITTF shall be: 1.1.4.1.1 to uphold the principles of the ITTF and to develop the spirit of friendship and mutual assistance among Associations and players; ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 6 1: Constitution 1.1.4.1.2 to regulate relations between Associations and between Associations and other organisations; 1.1.4.1.3 to seek continual improvement in the technical standard of table tennis and in the extent of participation in the sport throughout the world; 1.1.4.1.4 to foster friendly sporting competition and to eliminate unfair and unsporting practices such as match fixing, match corruption, irregular and illegal betting, doping or illegal equipment to enhance performance; 1.1.4.1.5 to establish and enforce the Constitution, the Laws of Table Tennis, the Regulations for International Competitions, the Regulations for World, Olympic and Paralympic Title Competitions, the Anti-Doping Rules, the Code of Ethics, the Anti-Harassment Policy and Procedures, the ITTF Tribunal Regulations, the ITTF Integrity Regulations, the ITTF Electoral and Appointment Regulations, and any other ITTF regulations; 1.1.4.1.6 to publish the English standard text of the Laws, Rules and regulations mentioned in 1.1.4.1.5; 1.1.4.1.7 to encourage the publication of the regulations mentioned in 1.1.4.1.5 in other languages and to check the accuracy of such publications; 1.1.4.1.8 to promote and to supervise World, Olympic, Paralympic and ITTF Continental title competitions; 1.1.4.1.9 to employ the funds of the ITTF as may be expedient in the interests of international table tennis; 1.1.4.1.10 to endeavour to increase participation at all levels, to enhance the popularity of the sport, to develop new sources of revenue, and to manage the sport through a systematic planning process; 1.1.4.1.11 to encourage players, coaches and officials to present the sport positively in the best ways so as to enhance its image; 1.1.4.1.12 to promote gender-parity and equity in all levels of table tennis; 1.1.4.1.13 to promote Para Table Tennis; 1.1.4.1.14 to advocate for the physical and mental health of players and officials; 1.1.4.1.15 to represent the sport of table tennis before the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, and other international organisations; 1.1.4.1.16 to direct, develop, regulate, control and discipline any and all virtual / electronic table tennis activities and competitions under all forms worldwide and to organise World Championships of which it is the sole holder and owner; 1.1.4.1.17 to promote and respect the Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration. 1.1.5 LEGAL STATUS 1.1.5.1 The ITTF is a not-for-profit organisation governed by Article 60ff. of the Swiss Civil Code; 1.1.5.2 The ITTF is endowed with legal status and its members, officers and employees shall not be responsible for its debts, unless it is by a grossly negligent or wilful conduct. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 7 1: Constitution 1.2 MEMBERSHIP 1.2.1 ELIGIBILITY 1.2.1.1 An Association complying with 1.1.2.1 may be elected a member but it shall be recognised as representative only of the territory in which it controls and governs the sport. 1.2.1.2 Where one or more Associations represent table tennis in only part of an area generally regarded as constituting a unity, an Association representing the sport in any other part of the same unity may apply for membership, provided that 1.2.1.2.1 its separateness is due to circumstances outside the sport and of the players concerned; 1.2.1.2.2 the jurisdiction it claims is clearly limited, in title and constitution, to the territory in which it controls the sport; 1.2.1.2.3 it is otherwise qualified for membership. 1.2.1.3 In the consideration of such an application, the views of any Association already in membership from the same unity shall be taken into account and in no circumstances shall two Associations be recognised as exercising authority over the same territory. 1.2.1.4 An organisation located outside the territory of any Association may be granted temporary attachment to an Association for the purpose of receiving aid in development and competition; the extended territory shall be regarded as being within the member’s control, but approval of the attachment shall be reviewed at each AGM and shall not be renewed indefinitely. 1.2.2 APPLICATION AND ELECTION 1.2.2.1 Applications for membership shall be made on a form approved by the Executive Committee. 1.2.2.2 All applications shall be submitted not later than 6 calendar months before the date of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at which the application is to be considered, except applications from previous member Associations. Such applications may be accepted with immediate effect at the discretion of the Executive Committee, without the need to allow the 6 calendar months. Any such acceptance shall be ratified at the next AGM. 1.2.2.3 The Executive Committee shall review all applications on behalf of the AGM and make recommendations on acceptance. 1.2.2.4 Applications for membership shall be considered by the next AGM and shall be accepted if they receive at least 2/3 of the votes cast. 1.2.2.4.1 In the consideration of an application in respect of an area for which there is a recognised Continental Federation, the views of that Federation shall be taken into account. 1.2.2.5 In the consideration of applications for combined membership by Associations formerly in separate membership, or for separate ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 8 1: Constitution membership by Associations which were formerly components of an Association which has divided, or for recognition of changes in the territory in which an Association controls the sport, the views of the organisations concerned and any circumstances outside their control shall be taken into account; secession in other circumstances is not to be encouraged. 1.2.2.6 The representatives of an Association elected to membership at an AGM shall be entitled to attend the meeting. 1.2.2.7 Election and membership of an Association shall not carry any implications in respect of the political, diplomatic or national status of the area concerned, but only to its conduct of table tennis therein. 1.2.3 SUSPENSION, TERMINATION AND OTHER SANCTIONS 1.2.3.1 An Association wishing to resign from the ITTF shall give notice in writing to the Secretariat; the resignation may take effect at any time from the receipt of such notice until the 31 st December of the same year, but the Association shall be liable for the subscription due for that year. The written resignation must detail the reason for resignation, proposed timing and all efforts that have made toward retaining affiliation. The Association and the ITTF must have first engaged in either direct or mediate discussions with the purpose of affiliation being retained. 1.2.3.2 An Association which fails to pay its subscription for 3 successive years shall automatically be suspended from membership; it shall not be liable for subscriptions during the period of suspension and may be re-admitted to membership on payment of part or all of the subscriptions previously due, at the discretion of the Executive Committee; the suspension in this case is a full suspension. 1.2.3.3 An Association that is suspended from membership shall, including but not limited to, not be entitled to nominate or enter players for any event held under the jurisdiction of the ITTF nor to attend or be represented at an AGM or EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) nor to nominate any person for election to the Executive Committee, Board of Directors (referred to elsewhere in this Constitution as “Board”), any committee, commission or working group nor shall any individual nominated by the Association be entitled to participate in the activities of the Executive Committee, Board, any committee, commission or working group; further: 1.2.3.3.1 no match official nominated by the Association shall officiate at any ITTF sanctioned event; 1.2.3.3.2 the Association shall not be entitled to receive any benefit from the ITTF including but not limited to participation in development activities nor to receive any grants from the ITTF; 1.2.3.3.3 the Association shall not be entitled to host an ITTF sanctioned event save that where an ITTF sanctioned event has been approved prior to the suspension, the Executive Committee may establish a committee to oversee the organisation of such sanctioned event under conditions approved by the Executive Committee, at its discretion. 1.2.3.4 An Association which is in serious, repeated, or continuous breach of this Constitution, any other rule or regulation of the ITTF Handbook, any ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 9 1: Constitution decision of the Executive Committee, or any decision of any judicial body, may be censured, fined, suspended or expelled by an AGM or EGM by a two-thirds majority. 1.2.3.4.1 A suspension pursuant to 1.2.3.4 may be lifted by an AGM or EGM by a two thirds majority. 1.2.3.4.2 In a case of a suspension, the AGM or EGM may allow players from the suspended Association to compete in events under the jurisdiction and flag of the ITTF. 1.2.3.5 Before the AGM or EGM suspends an Association, the Association must have been sent notice in writing of the proposed suspension at least one month before the AGM or EGM at which the suspension is to be considered; the Association shall be afforded an opportunity to present its case at the AGM or EGM. 1.2.3.6 The Executive Committee may act to propose the termination to the AGM, suspend or otherwise sanction an Association if it infringes the ITTF Constitution, other Regulations, and ITTF Tribunal decisions. Such decision is subject to an appeal to the ITTF Tribunal. 1.2.3.7 Article 1.2.3 is in addition to and does not limit any other powers that exist under the Constitution or any other rule or regulation of the ITTF Handbook to suspend, remove, or otherwise sanction any Association. 1.2.4 RIGHTS OF THE ASSOCIATIONS 1.2.4.1 The Associations have the following rights: 1.2.4.1.1 To appoint up to 2 delegates to take part in the AGM or EGM in which each Association has one vote cast. 1.2.4.1.2 To submit proposals or resolutions for inclusion in the agenda of the AGM or EGM or the Board. 1.2.4.1.3 To nominate candidates for election or appointment within the ITTF according to the specific rules. 1.2.4.1.4 To enter players for participation in competitions organised under the authority of the ITTF according to the specific qualification rules of each competition. 1.2.4.1.5 To take part in and benefit from ITTF’s assistance, development and educational programmes organised directly or through the Continental Federations. 1.2.4.1.6 To exercise all other rights arising from the Constitution or from any other ITTF Laws and regulations. 1.2.5 OBLIGATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATIONS 1.2.5.1 The Associations have the following obligations: 1.2.5.1.1 To fully comply with all duties and provisions of the Constitution, Laws and Regulations established by the ITTF as well as with all decisions taken in accordance therewith. 1.2.5.1.2 To apply the ITTF Anti-Doping Rules, the ITTF Code of Ethics, and the Anti-Harassment Policy and Procedures, the ITTF Tribunal Regulations ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 10 1: Constitution and the ITTF Tribunal decisions. 1.2.5.1.3 To immediately notify the ITTF about any major change on the Association (Constitution, change of President and/or Secretary General, its address and/or contact details) 1.2.5.1.4 To request their own members to comply with the ITTF Constitution. Laws and Regulations established by the ITTF. 1.2.5.1.5 To fulfil at all times the requirements necessary for eligibility to membership 1.2.5.1.6 To pay the annual subscription to the ITTF. 1.2.5.1.7 In the event of any dispute leading to disaffiliation, the ITTF retains all the rights as the international governing body, as if the association was affiliated for the purpose of calling for information and/or specific obligation to be fulfilled by the Association. 1.3 ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS 1.3.1 CONTINENTAL FEDERATIONS 1.3.1.1 There shall be five Continental Federations, one each from the geographical regions of Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Such Federations shall be supported and encouraged by the ITTF, which shall co-operate with them in all matters, provided that the constitution, general principles, rules and policy of the Continental Federation conform to those of the ITTF. 1.3.1.2 Each Continental Federation shall provide the Secretariat with a copy of its Constitution and with details of any subsequent changes not later than 3 calendar months after the meeting at which they are made. 1.3.1.3 Upon request by a Continental Federation and approval by the Executive Committee, a Continental Federation may be allowed to use the ITTF name and logo as part of the “brand name” of the Continental Federation. 1.3.1.4 Membership of the Continental Federation shall be open to Associations whose address in the ITTF Directory is situated within the appropriate Continental area except where, for reasons outside the control of sport, an Association is not acceptable to its appropriate Continental Federation; in such circumstances, which shall not necessarily prevent recognition of the Continental Federation concerned, the Association failing to secure membership shall have the right to appeal to the ITTF to assist in securing membership or, failing that, attachment to another adjacent Continental Federation. 1.3.1.5 Organisations eligible for membership of the ITTF but not yet having applied for membership may, with the consent of the Board, be included in the appropriate Continental Federation for a period not exceeding 1 year but renewable by each AGM; the players of such an organisation shall enjoy the privileges of players of a member Association but only in the Continent concerned. 1.3.1.6 Parts of an Association which lie wholly within a Continental area other ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 11 1: Constitution than that in which the address of that Association in the ITTF Directory is situated may, with the permission of the Board and the consent of their Association, be attached to the Continental Federation in whose area they lie for the purpose of competition and the encouragement of table tennis; with the same permission and for the same purposes, Associations lying wholly outside but adjacent to the Continental area concerned may similarly be attached, with the consent of the Federation of the Continent of which they form a part. 1.3.1.7 The championship title competitions of a Continental Federation shall be open only to the players of its member and attached Associations and the ITTF shall recognise such competitions as the sole Continental title championships for that Continent. 1.3.2 CONTINENTAL FEDERATIONS AFFILIATION 1.3.2.1 The Continental Federations shall be affiliated to the ITTF according to established criteria, proposed by the Board following a proposal of the Continental and Development Council. 1.3.2.2 The affiliated Continental Federations will renew every 4 years, in the year after the Olympic Games, specific strategic quadrennial agreements with the ITTF. 1.3.2.3 The affiliation of the Continental Federations has the following goals: 1.3.2.3.1 increase cooperation in events and marketing as well to develop table tennis cooperatively. 1.3.2.3.2 legalise the status of continental federations within the ITTF constitution. 1.3.2.3.3 provide development funding agreements to the affiliated continental federations. 1.3.2.3.4 provide the use of the ITTF brand and customised continental logo. 1.3.2.3.5 ensure marketing support and commercial strategic agreements through contractual Memorandums of Understanding with the ITTF. 1.3.2.3.6 link continental events to the ITTF world title events to reinforce greater marketing value and ensuring the participation of the top players. 1.3.3 OTHER GROUPS OF ASSOCIATIONS 1.3.3.1 A group of Associations shall, in principle, include associations that share common objectives (promotion of table tennis in any of its forms or categories, organisation of competitions for specific titles or for areas united by language, history and/or culture) 1.3.3.2 Each recognised group of Associations shall have the right to organise specific competitions open to all the Associations of the group provided that the Constitution is observed in respect of play with unaffiliated organisations. 1.3.3.3 Each recognised group of Associations shall have the following obligations: ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 12 1: Constitution 1.3.3.3.1 To fully comply with all duties and provisions of the Constitution, Laws and regulations established by the ITTF, as well as with all decisions taken in accordance therewith. 1.3.3.3.2 To apply the ITTF Anti-Doping Rules, the ITTF Regulations against illegal betting and corruption and the ITTF Code of Ethics. 1.3.3.3.3 To immediately notify the ITTF about any change on the membership of the group (Constitution, change of President and/or Secretary General, its address and/or contact details). 1.3.3.3.4 To ensure their own members comply with the ITTF Constitution, Laws and regulations established by the ITTF. 1.4 HONORARY POSITIONS 1.4.1 In order to obtain or maintain the Honorary positions defined in 1.4.2, 1.4.3 and 1.4.4, individuals may conduct or be subject to, under the request of the ITTF Integrity Unit, annual checks, including but not limited to the signature of conflict-of-interest declarations, and remain available for background checks as required by the ITTF Integrity Unit. In the occurrence of a lack of cooperation, the ITTF Integrity Unit may take further actions pursuant to the ITTF Integrity Regulations. 1.4.2 HONORARY PRESIDENT 1.4.2.1 Any past President of the ITTF shall be automatically bestowed the title of “ITTF Honorary President” with a set of privileges decided by the Executive Committee from time to time. This title can only be revoked by a majority vote of the AGM or by a decision of the ITTF Tribunal. 1.4.3 PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY COUNCIL 1.4.3.1 The President may appoint a President’s Advisory Council (PAC) to advise him or her on various matters. Members of the President’s Advisory Council shall be invited to attend the AGM and EGM as observers, and they will have a set of privileges decided by the Executive Committee from time to time. 1.4.3.2 The terms of office of the President 's Advisory Council shall coincide with that of the Executive Committee. 1.4.3.3 President’s Advisory Council appointments can be revoked by decision of the ITTF Tribunal. 1.4.4 PERSONAL HONORARY MEMBERSHIP 1.4.4.1 A person who has given long, outstanding service to the ITTF may, on retirement, be appointed a Personal Honorary Member (PHM) for his or her lifetime by the AGM on a recommendation by the Board. 1.4.4.2 Personal Honorary Members shall be entitled to attend World Championships, with free hospitality, and to attend the AGM and the EGM ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 13 1: Constitution with the right to speak but not to vote. 1.4.4.3 Personal Honorary Membership can be revoked by decision of the ITTF Tribunal. 1.5 GOVERNANCE 1.5.1 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 1.5.1.1 The Annual General Meeting, referred to elsewhere in this Constitution as AGM, is the supreme governing body of the ITTF and consists of the assembled representatives of the Associations. 1.5.1.2 The AGM has the following functions and powers: 1.5.1.2.1 to amend the Constitution and the Laws of Table Tennis; 1.5.1.2.2 to elect the ITTF President, the ITTF Executive Vice-Presidents and all members of the Board, at an AGM held every four years. All members elected shall serve for a four-year term and shall be eligible for re-election not more than twice in the same role. After 3 full terms any member should have 1 waiting period term before opting for the same role; 1.5.1.2.3 to appoint, in odd numbered years, the full and corresponding members of committees and commissions, on the recommendation of the Nominations Committee; except for the Nominations Committee which shall be appointed in even numbered years by the Executive Committee. 1.5.1.2.4 to designate the host Association of the ITTF World Championships; 1.5.1.2.5 to delegate any of its powers to the Board or to the Executive Committee, on the request of at least one-quarter (1/4) of the Associations not in arrears; 1.5.1.2.6 to ratify the work done by the Board and the Executive Committee since the last AGM; 1.5.1.2.7 to decide to deal with a matter normally delegated to another ITTF body or decided upon by this body; 1.5.1.2.8 all the other functions and responsibilities mentioned from 1.5.1.8.1.1 to 1.5.1.8.1.14. 1.5.1.3 Representation of Members and attendance 1.5.1.3.1 Each Association shall be entitled to 2 representatives, referred to elsewhere in this Constitution as “delegates” at an AGM. 1.5.1.3.2 The Executive Committee members, the Board members, the ITTF senior staff, the Honorary Presidents, the Personal Honorary Members and the President's Advisory Council members are also allowed to attend the AGM with the right to speak but not to vote. All members of committees and commissions shall be entitled to attend the AGM as observers, without speaking or voting privileges unless representing an Association. The Committee and Commissions Chairs and the Technical, Junior and Gender Commissioners, as expert advisers, will have the right to speak. The AGM Chair, exceptionally, can allow special guests to attend and speak at the AGM too. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 14 1: Constitution 1.5.1.3.3 Representation by letter or proxy is not permitted. 1.5.1.4 Delegates 1.5.1.4.1 Delegates shall be appointed by the appropriate body of the Association they represent; they shall either carry the citizenship (passport) of this Association or shall have their main residence in the territory controlled by this Association for no less than 12 months. Delegates of Associations belonging to the same state unity, with the same kind of national passport, must have their main residence for no less than 12 months in the territory where the Association has the jurisdiction. The Executive Committee, under special circumstances, can grant exceptions from this rule in a case- by-case basis. 1.5.1.4.2 The ITTF will cover the cost of travel and accommodation for one delegate from each Association not in arrears to attend the AGM the year of elections of the Executive Committee members according to the guidelines approved by the Executive Committee. 1.5.1.5 Place and Time 1.5.1.5.1 An AGM shall be held at the place and date decided by the previous AGM or EGM, and in case of emergency at such other place and date as the Executive Committee may determine. 1.5.1.5.2 An AGM can be convened remotely (wholly or partly) if considered appropriate. 1.5.1.6 Notice of Meeting 1.5.1.6.1 Notice of the meeting, giving details of the place, date and time and the business to be transacted, shall be sent by post or e-mail to: 1.5.1.6.1.1 each Association; 1.5.1.6.1.2 the Executive Committee members; 1.5.1.6.1.3 the Board members, the ITTF senior staff; 1.5.1.6.1.4 the Honorary Presidents; 1.5.1.6.1.5 the Personal Honorary Members; and 1.5.1.6.1.6 the President's Advisory Council members; and 1.5.1.6.1.7 the Committee Chairs and Commissioners. 1.5.1.6.2 The notice shall be sent not later than 2 calendar months before the date of the meeting. 1.5.1.7 Notice of Business 1.5.1.7.1 Details in writing of propositions and resolutions to be dealt with at an AGM must reach the Secretariat not later than 3 calendar months before the date of the meeting. 1.5.1.7.2 Notice of the actual closing date in each year for the receipt of business and propositions shall be sent to all Associations by the Secretariat not later than 6 calendar months before the date of the meeting. 1.5.1.7.3 Propositions and resolutions, other than changes to the Constitution or the Laws, of which due notice has not been given but which, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, relate to the business in hand or relate to an emergency may be admitted by a vote in favour of 2/3 of the votes cast at the AGM. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 15 1: Constitution 1.5.1.8 Procedure 1.5.1.8.1 The agenda for an AGM shall include: 1.5.1.8.1.1 the appointment of a Chair; 1.5.1.8.1.2 a roll call of the Associations present; 1.5.1.8.1.3 the appointment of scrutineers; 1.5.1.8.1.4 the confirmation of the Minutes of the previous AGM or EGM; 1.5.1.8.1.5 the consideration of applications for membership; 1.5.1.8.1.6 the receipt of the Strategic Plan of the ITTF and the Annual General Report, including reports from the Executive Committee members, the Continental Presidents, the Committee Chairs, the CEO and the Secretary General; 1.5.1.8.1.7 the receipt of reports from the ITTF Continental Council, the ITTF Integrity Unit, and the ITTF Tribunal; 1.5.1.8.1.8 the receipt of the financial report, the audited statement of accounts for the previous year, the consideration of the next year and quadrennial estimate of income and expenditure and the appointment of Auditors; 1.5.1.8.1.9 the consideration of propositions and resolutions and the reports of the Committees or Commissions that have studied them; 1.5.1.8.1.10 when appropriate, the election of President, Executive Vice-Presidents and the composition of Committees; 1.5.1.8.1.11 the consideration of arrangements for future World Championships; 1.5.1.8.1.12 the ratification of the work done by the Board and the Executive Committee since the last AGM; 1.5.1.8.1.13 the announcement of the place and date of the next General Meeting (AGM or EGM); 1.5.1.8.1.14 the consideration of any other business. 1.5.1.8.2 No speaker shall speak more than once on a proposition except that the proposer shall have the right of reply and that the Chair may, at his or her discretion, allow a speaker to speak more than once to answer a query arising from his or her original statement. 1.5.1.8.3 The Chair shall decide how many speakers will be permitted to speak on a proposition and when the vote shall be taken, except that a motion "that the question now be put" shall be voted on immediately, without further discussion; if such a motion is carried the proposition or any amendment before the meeting shall then be voted on immediately, without further discussion, subject to the right of reply by the mover of the substantive proposition. 1.5.1.8.4 A question once decided may not be reverted to for re-discussion and re-vote unless the Chair rules, as a matter of urgency, that a case has been made for supposing that the decision taken may jeopardise the whole welfare of the ITTF; a motion to challenge the Chair's ruling that the matter is not of sufficient urgency to justify reconsideration shall be taken whenever it is moved. 1.5.1.9 Voting 1.5.1.9.1 Each Association present not in arrears shall have 1 vote. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 16 1: Constitution 1.5.1.9.2 Questions shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast except that: 1.5.1.9.2.1 changes to the Constitution, suspensions or expulsions from membership, the acceptance of belated or emergency business or propositions and the revocation of a World Championships option require a majority of 2/3 of the votes cast; 1.5.1.9.2.2 changes to the Laws of Table Tennis require a 3/4 majority of the votes cast; 1.5.1.9.2.3 dissolution of the ITTF requires a 4/5 majority of the votes cast. 1.5.1.9.3 If there is an equality of votes on an administrative or financial matter the Chair shall have a casting vote; if there is an equality of votes on any other matter the motion shall fail, and the meeting shall proceed with the next business. 1.5.1.9.4 Voting other than in elections shall be either by a show of hands, by electronic device, by roll call or by secret ballot, as decided by the meeting on a proposition by the Chair. 1.5.1.9.5 Each President of a Continental Federation shall nominate 2 persons from his or her Continent, for approval by the meeting, to form a list of scrutineers. 1.5.1.9.6 For each vote requiring scrutineers, including elections, names shall be taken from the list in alphabetical order, omitting the representative of any Association having a particular interest in the item, which is the subject of the vote. 1.5.1.10 Elections 1.5.1.10.1 Where there are more candidates or options for a post or posts than the number of vacancies, as long as the simple majority (more than 50%) is not reached, additional ballots will be required. In this case, the candidate or option obtaining the smallest number of votes shall be eliminated. 1.5.1.10.2 If there is a tie for the lowest number of votes, a further vote shall be held amongst them to determine who is eliminated 1.5.1.10.3 Consecutive ballots will be organised until the election is decided. 1.5.1.10.4 At an election a ballot paper shall be considered valid only if the number of votes cast on this ballot equals the number of vacancies. 1.5.2 EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING 1.5.2.1 The provisions that apply to the AGM will apply to the EGM correspondingly, unless otherwise stated in the provisions below (i.e., with any amendments deemed to have been made that are necessary to take account of the different context). 1.5.2.2 An Extraordinary General Meeting, "EGM" shall be convened either by resolution of the previous AGM or within 10 weeks of receipt by the Secretariat of a requisition in writing submitted by not less than 1/4 of the Associations not in arrears, representing at least 2 Continents, or in case of emergency, by decision of the Executive Committee. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 17 1: Constitution 1.5.2.3 For an EGM the notice shall be sent not later than 1 calendar month before the date of the meeting. 1.5.2.4 The requisition for an EGM shall specify the business for which the meeting is to be convened and no other business except the confirmation of the Minutes of the previous AGM or EGM shall be transacted at such a meeting. 1.5.2.5 An EGM can be convened remotely (wholly or partly) if considered appropriate. 1.5.3 THE BOARD 1.5.3.1 The Board is a legislative authority of the ITTF dealing amongst other responsibilities with all ITTF regulations, except the Constitution and the Laws of Table Tennis. The Board has also the following functions and powers: 1.5.3.1.1 to receive and consider reports from Commissioners and all Committees and Commissions other than the Finance and Audit Committee, and the Continental Council; 1.5.3.1.2 to appoint the Committee Chairs according to 1.5.3.7 the members of the Finance and Audit Committee and all the members of the Integrity Board with voting rights; 1.5.3.1.3 to consider propositions regarding ITTF regulations, other than the Constitution and Laws of Table Tennis; 1.5.3.1.4 to award the host Association of the World Junior Championships, and other events, excluding the World Championships; 1.5.3.1.5 to approve the ITTF Administrative and Technical Leaflets; 1.5.3.1.6 to determine the number of full and corresponding members of each Committee; 1.5.3.1.7 to delegate any of its powers to the Executive Committee. 1.5.3.2 The Board shall consist of the President, the Executive Vice-Presidents, the Presidents of Continental Federations, the Chair of the Athletes Commission or his or her appointee and 32 Continental representatives elected by each Continental Federation and confirmed by the AGM. 1.5.3.3 Continental Federations whose President is also member of the ITTF Executive Committee may appoint another member of their highest Executive Body for the ITTF Board. 1.5.3.4 IOC members being players or officials of an Association, or a Continental Federation, shall become ex officio members of the Board. 1.5.3.5 All Chairs of committees and commissions and the Technical, Junior and Gender Commissioners shall be entitled to attend the Board meetings as expert advisers, without voting privileges but with the right to speak. 1.5.3.6 The number of Continental representatives shall be proportional to the number of the Continental Federation's member Associations not in arrears and shall not exceed 32. 1.5.3.7 The Board shall appoint, in odd numbered years, the Chairs of committees and commissions, on the recommendation of the Executive Committee; ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 18 1: Constitution except the Chair of the Nominations Committee who shall be appointed by the Executive Committee in even numbered years and the Athletes’ Commission whose Chair would be elected by the Commission. 1.5.3.8 The Board shall meet at the place and date decided during the last Board meeting and in case of emergency, or if not decided during the last meeting, at such other place and date as the Executive Committee may determine but shall otherwise conduct its business by correspondence. A Board meeting may be convened remotely (wholly or partly) if considered appropriate. 1.5.3.9 Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Board may be filled by simple majority vote at a Board meeting, but no temporary substitute shall be permitted to attend a Board meeting or to conduct Board business in place of a member absent or indisposed. 1.5.3.10 Board meetings procedure 1.5.3.10.1 The agenda for a Board meeting shall be sent to all its members not later than 1 calendar month before the date of the meeting. 1.5.3.10.2 At its meeting the Board shall review all propositions and resolutions submitted to the Board and, where appropriate, refer them for consideration by committees. 1.5.3.10.3 The Chair at a Board meeting shall be the President, or, in his or her absence, the Deputy President; if both are absent the members present shall elect one of their members as Chair for that meeting. 1.5.3.10.4 Every question at a Board meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast; if there is an equality of votes the Chair shall have a casting vote. 1.5.3.10.5 Voting shall be by a show of hands, a roll call or a ballot, as decided by the meeting on a proposition by the Chair. 1.5.3.10.6 The ITTF shall pay a proportion of the travel costs of its members attending Board meetings, the proportion being decided from time to time by the Executive Committee. 1.5.3.10.7 The proposer of a proposition or resolution is invited to speak in the same way as indicated for the AGM under 1.5.1.8.2. 1.5.4 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 1.5.4.1 The Executive Committee is the executive body of the ITTF with the power to handle the following duties: 1.5.4.1.1 to approve the internal Organisation rules of the ITTF 1.5.4.1.2 to appoint the CEO of the ITTF; 1.5.4.1.3 to appoint the Chair of the Nominations Committee and all Commissioners and Panels or Working groups; 1.5.4.1.4 to determine the terms of reference for all committees, commissions, working groups or panels that the Board or the Executive Committee may establish from time to time; 1.5.4.1.5 to approve the ITTF strategic plan to be submitted to the AGM; 1.5.4.1.6 to appoint the bank accounts of the ITTF and the persons with signature ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 19 1: Constitution on them; 1.5.4.1.7 to approve the remuneration of the President or any elected officer, if applicable. Such decisions shall be minuted with specific mention of the names and amounts and shall be reflected in the annual statement of the accounts; 1.5.4.1.8 to review all applications for new membership and make recommendations on acceptance; 1.5.4.1.9 to submit rules changes, propositions and resolutions to the AGM or to the Board; 1.5.4.1.10 to define the use of the ITTF name and logo; 1.5.4.1.11 to, notwithstanding any other provisions within the ITTF Handbook, decide on all other current or urgent business in exceptional circumstances which cannot be decided by the appropriate body promptly, and to assume all responsibilities which are not expressly attributed to another body within the ITTF; 1.5.4.2 Powers of the Executive Committee 1.5.4.2.1 The powers vested in the Executive Committee pursuant to 1.5.4.2. shall be exercised by way of a simple majority of the Executive Committee. 1.5.4.2.2 Despite 1.5.4.2.1, unless otherwise expressly provided under this Constitution, the Executive Committee may delegate any of its powers to any of its members or other persons within ITTF expressly or impliedly, and any such delegation of power may be revoked (fully or partially) by the Executive Committee at any time. 1.5.4.3 Duties of the Executive Committee 1.5.4.3.1 The Executive Committee members shall at all times: 1.5.4.3.1.1 promote the principles of the ITTF and advance its objectives; 1.5.4.3.1.2 act in good faith and carry out their responsibilities in the best interests of the ITTF and the ITTF Member Associations as a whole; 1.5.4.3.1.3 comply, and ensure that the ITTF complies with applicable laws, this Constitution, any other rule or regulation of the ITTF Handbook, and decisions of any judicial body; 1.5.4.3.1.4 not engage in any act of dishonesty, gross misconduct, or wilful neglect of duty; 1.5.4.3.1.5 not do anything (by act or omission) that is likely to bring the ITTF or the sport of table tennis into disrepute or that is contrary to the best interests of the ITTF or the sport of table tennis; 1.5.4.3.1.6 exercise the care, diligence and skill that any reasonable Executive Committee member would exercise in the same circumstances; 1.5.4.3.1.7 disclose to the Executive Committee and the ITTF Integrity Unit the nature and extent of any interest that they have (or any person connected with them has) in a transaction or proposed transaction of or involving the ITTF as soon as they become aware of such interest or such transaction and refrain from making an opinion and voting on any connected resolution; 1.5.4.3.1.8 maintain confidentiality as to the communications and affairs of the ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 20 1: Constitution Executive Committee and confidential information (except as needed to be disclosed through its meeting minutes) and not disclose it to any other person, unless for the benefit of the ITTF, as agreed by the Executive Committee, or as required by Law or the ITTF Handbook; and 1.5.4.3.1.9 make reasonable efforts to attend and actively participate in all Executive Committee meetings. 1.5.4.4 The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, two members of the Athletes Commission from different genders, and 8 Executive Vice- Presidents of which one shall be appointed by the President as Deputy President and another one shall be appointed for finances. In addition, any IOC member may be an ex-officio Executive Committee member by decision of the Executive Committee. 1.5.4.5 Meetings of the Executive Committee and conduct of business outside meetings 1.5.4.5.1 The Executive Committee shall meet during the period of the World Championships and otherwise when convened by the President or by a simple majority of the Executive Committee. 1.5.4.5.2 The quorum for any Executive Committee meeting shall be more than 50% of the members of the Executive Committee then in office and entitled to vote. 1.5.4.5.3 Meetings of the Executive Committee may be conducted remotely through, without limitation, telephone or videoconference. 1.5.4.5.4 Each Executive Committee member present and entitled to vote shall have one vote, provided that any Executive Committee member having a conflict of interest on any motion shall not vote on that motion. 1.5.4.5.5 Unless otherwise specified in this Constitution, motions of the Executive Committee require a simple majority of the Executive Committee then in office and entitled to vote in order to be passed. In the event of an equality of votes, the President will have the casting vote. 1.5.4.5.6 Motions of the Executive Committee may be passed by correspondence, without conducting any physical or remote meeting, and the use of electronic mail and other generally acceptable electronic communication means is permissible for such purposes. 1.5.4.5.7 A written motion that is signed or consented to by electronic mail or other generally acceptable electronic communication means by a simple majority of the Executive Committee will be valid as if it had been passed at an Executive Committee meeting. Any such motion may be made up of several documents in substantially similar form, each signed or consented to by one or more Executive Committee members. 1.5.4.5.8 Unless specified otherwise above, the Executive Committee may regulate the conduct of its meetings and all other matters concerning its meetings through its Terms of Reference or relevant document. 1.5.4.6 Vacancies at the Executive Committee 1.5.4.6.1 If the President resigns or is unable to continue in office, he or she shall be replaced by the Deputy President. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 21 1: Constitution 1.5.4.6.2 A vacancy arising in the post of Deputy President or in the Executive Vice- President – Finance position shall be filled by an Executive Vice-President appointed by a simple majority of the Executive Committee. 1.5.4.6.3 A vacancy arising in the posts of any Executive Vice-Presidents during the first three years of the running term of office shall be filled by simple majority vote at the next AGM (or EGM) for the remaining years of the running term. 1.5.4.6.4 A vacancy arising in the post of the Chair of the Athletes Commission shall be filled by one of the Deputy Chairs elected by this Commission. 1.5.4.7 Suspension or removal of Executive Committee members 1.5.4.7.1 The Executive Committee may, by two-thirds majority, pass a motion to suspend any Executive Committee member, subject to such terms it deems appropriate, if that member: 1.5.4.7.1.1 is charged with commission of a criminal or a disciplinary offence, such as violation of the ITTF Code of Ethics or breach of the rules of an ITTF Member Association or ITTF associated organisation and in the Executive Committee’s reasonable opinion, there is a real risk that the integrity of the sport of table tennis or public confidence could be seriously undermined; or 1.5.4.7.1.2 is, in the Executive Committee’s reasonable opinion, in breach of one or more of their duties under 1.5.4.3 of this Constitution. 1.5.4.7.2 If a suspension pursuant to 1.5.4.7.1.1 is imposed, such suspension will remain in place pending the outcome of such charges before the ITTF Tribunal or such other judicial body. 1.5.4.7.3 The Executive Committee may by two-thirds majority pass a motion to remove any Executive Committee member before the end of their term of office, subject to such terms it deems appropriate, if that member: 1.5.4.7.3.1 is clearly, in the Executive Committee’s reasonable opinion, in serious, repeated, or continuous breach of one or more of their duties under 1.5.4.3 of this Constitution; or 1.5.4.7.3.2 fails to meet the terms imposed by the Executive Committee for lifting a suspension imposed under 1.5.4.7.1. 1.5.4.7.4 Before suspending or removing any Executive Committee member pursuant to 1.5.4.7, the Executive Committee shall provide that member with: 1.5.4.7.4.1 written notice of the proposed suspension or removal, including the reasons for such proposal; and 1.5.4.7.4.2 the opportunity to present their case to the Executive Committee within a reasonable period (not less than 48 hours). 1.5.4.7.5 Any Executive Committee member who is suspended or removed pursuant to 1.5.4.7 shall automatically be suspended or removed (as applicable) from any position which they hold ex officio in relation to their membership in the Executive Committee. 1.5.4.7.6 This Article 1.5.4.7 is in addition to and does not limit any other powers that exist under this Constitution or any other rule or regulation of the ITTF ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 22 1: Constitution Handbook to suspend or remove any Executive Committee member from office. 1.5.4.7.7 Any Executive Committee member who is suspended or removed pursuant to 1.5.4.7 may appeal such suspension or removal to the ITTF Tribunal. 1.5.5 ITTF INTEGRITY UNIT 1.5.5.1 The ITTF Integrity Unit is an independent unit of the ITTF with the following responsibilities: 1.5.5.1.1 to investigate and prosecute infringement of the matters relating to compliance, discipline and integrity before the ITTF Tribunal or such other competent and recognised judicial body; 1.5.5.1.2 to educate table tennis parties on integrity matters; and 1.5.5.1.3 to otherwise protect and uphold the integrity of table tennis. 1.5.5.2 The ITTF Integrity Unit shall be supervised by the Integrity Board and shall consist of the Head of Integrity and such other officers necessary for the ITTF Integrity Unit to carry out its responsibilities. 1.5.5.3 As an independent unit of the ITTF, the ITTF Integrity Unit shall be directly accountable to the AGM (or EGM). 1.5.5.4 The ITTF Integrity Unit shall carry out its duties and exercise its powers and authority in accordance with the ITTF Integrity Regulations. 1.5.6 CONTINENTAL COUNCIL 1.5.6.1 The Continental Council is an extended arm of the Executive Committee and shall meet on a set yearly schedule approved by the Executive Committee and at other times when convened by the ITTF President. The Continental Council consists of the members of the Executive Committee and the Presidents or their representatives from the Continental Federations. 1.5.6.2 The Continental Council shall be responsible for: 1.5.6.2.1 planning, control and supervision of the table tennis events in the Olympic and the Paralympic Games; 1.5.6.2.2 co-opting and call upon relevant technical experts, representatives for the ITTF Para TT Committee and the Olympic Games organisers to join one or several Continental Council meetings on a per need basis decided by the ITTF Executive Committee; 1.5.6.2.3 liaising with the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees, National Olympic and Paralympic Committees and Associations on all matters concerning Olympic and Paralympic competitions; 1.5.6.2.4 enforcement of the eligibility regulations and confirmation of the eligibility of entrants for Olympic and Paralympic events; 1.5.6.2.5 appointing a Jury, Technical Representatives and all match officials for the Olympic and Paralympic table tennis events; 1.5.6.2.6 ensuring that the table tennis events at Olympic and Paralympic Games comply with the letter and the spirit of the Olympic Charter and IPC ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 23 1: Constitution Handbook respectively; 1.5.6.2.7 initiating and reviewing proposals for the table tennis events at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. 1.5.6.2.8 providing input and strategic guidance related to the building of the international calendar of events; 1.5.6.2.9 drafting and submission of proposals for qualifying systems and pathways for entry into Olympic and Paralympic and ITTF World Title Events applying to all Continental Federations and designated qualification pathways; 1.5.6.2.10 co-opting and calling relevant technical experts, representatives for the ITTF major World Title events organisers to join one or several Continental Council meetings at times requested by the Executive Committee; 1.5.6.2.11 proposing Development Programme and High-Performance related initiatives to support the future overall development orientations of the ITTF, giving specific consideration to the promotion of gender equity, youth development and member associations’ rights and duties in cooperation with Continental Federations; 1.5.6.2.12 discussing all other matters of common interest to the Continental Federations and the ITTF; 1.5.6.3 One or several members of the ITTF staff, appointed by the President, shall attend all meetings of the Continental Council and shall draft its minutes and reports. 1.5.6.4 The meetings of the Continental shall be minuted with a yearly report submitted to the AGM. 1.5.7 COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS 1.5.7.1 Permanent Committees and Commissions 1.5.7.1.1 The Equipment Committee, the Media Committee, the Para Table Tennis Committee, the Rules Committee, the Sports Science Committee, the Umpires and Referees Committee, the Veterans Committee and the Athletes Commission are further permanent Committees and Commissions. 1.5.7.1.2 The number of persons serving as full and corresponding members on each committee shall be determined by the Board a year before the nomination of committee members. 1.5.7.1.3 Committees shall normally meet during the period of the World Championships and shall otherwise conduct their business by correspondence. 1.5.7.1.4 A committee may set up sub-committees of its members to deal with specific areas of work; any reports or recommendations of such sub-committees shall be subject to endorsement by the full committee before publication or submission to the AGM or the Board. 1.5.7.1.5 Each committee shall take interest in Continental and Regional Federations’ activities in their various fields and shall advise the Federations through the Executive Committee on ideas for further development. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 24 1: Constitution 1.5.7.1.6 A member of a committee who does not, within a reasonable specified period, express in writing an opinion on a written proposal circulated by or on behalf of the Chair of that committee shall be considered to have agreed to any resulting recommendation submitted in the name of the committee. 1.5.7.1.7 The Chair of each committee shall submit to the Board an annual report of the activities of the committee, drawing attention to any recommendations that the committee wishes to make; acceptance of the report shall not automatically imply acceptance of such recommendations. 1.5.7.1.8 A committee may be authorised to act on behalf of the Board but the extent and duration of this authority shall be specified by the Board and shall be reviewed not later than at the next meeting of the Board. 1.5.7.1.9 As far as possible all committee and commission meetings shall be opened to AGM delegates to attend as observers. 1.5.7.2. The Nominations Committee 1.5.7.2.1 The Nominations Committee shall be composed of at least 6 members determined and appointed by the Executive Committee including significant gender representation from nominations received from Member Associations in even numbered years with an Executive Vice-President and all Presidents of Continental Federations as ex-officio members. 1.5.7.2.2 The Nominations Committee shall check the qualification and validity of nominations for office, shall supervise the allocation of nominees to committees and shall recommend to the AGM the composition of committees and commissions; provided that sufficient number of female nominations is made for a committee, at least 25% of the number of full members of that Committee or Commission shall be selected out of female nominees. 1.5.7.3 The Finance and Audit Committee 1.5.7.3.1 The Finance and Audit Committee shall be composed of at least 3 independent members plus one Board member appointed by the Board, the Executive Vice-President in charge of Finance plus one ITTF staff (without vote). 1.5.7.3.2 The terms of office of the Finance and Audit Committee shall coincide with that of the Executive Committee 1.5.7.4 The Integrity Board 1.5.7.4.1 The Integrity Board shall be composed of at least 3 independent members (each with voting rights) appointed by the Board, one member of the ITTF Executive Committee (without voting rights) and the ITTF Head of Integrity (without voting rights). 1.5.8 OTHER APPOINTMENTS 1.5.8.1 The Board may appoint other commissions, working groups or panels as may be needed from time to time. 1.5.8.2 The Executive Committee shall appoint: 1.5.8.2.1 A Technical Commissioner, whose term of office shall coincide with that of the Executive Committee, plus 1 technical representative nominated by ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 25 1: Constitution each Continental Federation and not from the same continent as the ITTF Technical Commissioner, for a total of six persons. 1.5.8.2.2 A Gender Commissioner, whose term of office shall coincide with that of the Executive Committee. 1.5.8.2.3 A Junior Commissioner plus one Continental Junior Commissioner nominated by each Continental Federation and not from the same continent as the ITTF Junior Commissioner, for a total of six persons, whose term of office shall coincide with that of the Executive Committee. 1.5.9 ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE 1.5.9.1 Nominations for President, Executive Vice-Presidents and members of the Board or committees may be made only by the Association of which the nominee is a member; if this nomination is withdrawn after the nominee has been elected or appointed, he or she may be removed from his or her post only by a 2/3 majority vote of the Board. 1.5.9.2 Nominations for President, Executive Vice-Presidents, members of the Board and Permanent Committees should be made no later than 90 days before the date of the AGM where the elections are to be held. 1.5.9.3 No more than 1 person from an Association shall be nominated for the Executive Committee and no-one shall be nominated for more than 1 post of the Executive Committee. 1.5.9.4 A member of an Association that is in arrears shall not be eligible for election. 1.5.9.5 Continental representatives on the Board shall each be from a different Association. 1.5.9.6 No person shall serve at the same time as a member of more than 1 permanent committee and no more than 4 such posts shall be occupied by members of one Association. 1.5.9.7 No member of the Executive Committee shall serve on a permanent committee. 1.5.9.8 A person connected in any way with the manufacture, sale or endorsement of table tennis equipment or with consultation on such equipment: 1.5.9.8.1 shall not be eligible as a member of the Executive Committee; with the exception of the Athlete Commission Chair; 1.5.9.8.2 may serve on a committee but shall withdraw from a meeting or abstain from voting on an issue if so requested by a majority of the meeting that he or she is attending. 1.5.10 CONFLICT OF INTEREST 1.5.10.1 The ITTF, all its members (Member Associations), affiliated organisations (Continental Federations and other groups of associations) as well as all the aforesaid parties’ officials, decision-making bodies, honorary members, officers, employees, services providers, delegated third parties and their employees, players, players’ entourages and such other persons ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 26 1: Constitution involved in the aforesaid parties’ operations shall avoid any conflict of interest (as defined in the ITTF Code of Ethics). Any type of conflict of interest shall be declared, and each individual shall take action to remove him/herself from the situation where a conflict may arise. It is the personal responsibility of each person to avoid any case of conflict of interest. 1.5.10.2 The ITTF conflicts of interest policy will set out the procedure for identifying and managing conflicts and potential conflicts of interests or duty affecting all persons involved in the ITTF and its business. 1.5.11 CHANGES TO RULES 1.5.11.1 Rule change propositions and resolutions may be submitted to: 1.5.11.1.1 the AGM or the Board by Associations, the Executive Committee, Continental Federations, Committees, Commissions, the ITTF Integrity Unit and the ITTF Tribunal; and 1.5.11.1.2 to the AGM by the Board. 1.5.11.2 Rule change propositions to be considered at an AGM, EGM or a Board meeting must reach the ITTF not later than 3 months before the date of the meeting. 1.5.11.3 Amendments to the Constitution and the Laws of Table Tennis shall be made only at an AGM or EGM; amendments to other Regulations shall be made only at a meeting of the Board, with the exception of amendments to the Anti-Doping Rules, that can be made also by the Executive Committee, if necessary, to maintain WADA compliance. 1.5.11.4 Details of all rule change propositions shall be published in the agenda of the meeting at which they are to be considered. 1.5.11.5 The implementation date of each change shall be specified; if there is no such specification, the change shall take effect from 1 st January of the following year once a decision is taken. Anti-doping rules may have a different implementation date if it is requested by WADA and/or approved by the Executive Committee. 1.5.12 APPLICATION OF ELECTORAL AND APPOINTMENT REGULATIONS 1.5.12.1 The election or appointment of individuals to the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Permanent Committees, Integrity Board, ITTF Tribunal or such other key bodies or key individual roles (such as Commissioners) are subject to such terms as specified in the ITTF Electoral and Appointment Regulations. 1.6 ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 1.6.1 MANAGEMENT STAFF 1.6.1.1 The Executive Committee shall appoint management staff on agreed terms and conditions and in accordance with the management plan approved by the Board from time to time. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 27 1: Constitution 1.6.1.2 A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and shall be responsible for the direction and supervision of the ITTF’s professional structure and programs. 1.6.1.3 The CEO shall appoint a staff member to serve as coordinator of each committee. 1.6.1.4 The CEO shall employ such other staff as are deemed necessary following the Executive Committee approval, taking into consideration the ITTF annual budget and according to the ITTF open recruitment policy. 1.6.2 ADMINISTRATION 1.6.2.1 Office 1.6.2.1.1 The Head Office of the ITTF shall be proposed by the Executive Committee and shall be in a place appointed by resolution of the AGM or EGM, or, in emergency, of the Board. 1.6.2.2 Languages 1.6.2.2.1 The correspondence and proceedings of the ITTF shall be conducted in English or in such languages convenient for appropriate tasks and within the resources of the ITTF as may be determined from time to time by the Board, having particular regard to Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian and Spanish. 1.6.2.2.2 All languages of ITTF members are equally official and representatives shall be entitled to address meetings of the ITTF in their own language, subject to their provision of interpretation into one of the working languages fixed for use at that meeting. 1.7 FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 1.7.1 ACCOUNTS 1.7.1.1 The financial year of the ITTF shall be from 1st. January to 31st December. 1.7.1.2 The Executive Vice-President responsible for finance shall ensure that an annual statement of accounts be prepared, which shall be audited by professional auditors, and that a yearly and quadrennial estimate of income and expenditure be presented. 1.7.1.3 The bank accounts of the ITTF shall be held at banks appointed by resolution of the Executive Committee. 1.7.1.4 The power of signature on the ITTF bank accounts should be restricted to the ITTF Trustees and the ITTF operational staff and decided by the Executive Committee. Individual signatures on any ITTF bank account shall be avoided. 1.7.2 TRUSTEES 1.7.2.1 The President, Deputy President and Executive Vice-Presidents shall be ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 28 1: Constitution Trustees for the purpose of purchasing, selling, leasing or otherwise dealing with any freehold or leasehold property or other assets required by the AGM or the Board for the purposes of the ITTF. 1.7.2.2 The Trustees shall be authorised to use the funds of the ITTF in the purchase of such property and assets and shall stand possessed thereof and of the proceeds of sale thereof upon trust for the ITTF in such manner as the Board may from time to time direct. 1.7.2.3 The Trustees shall comply with any laws, statutes and requirements of the countries in which such trust property may be situated which relate to the purchase, sale and management of such property and the duties of Trustees in connection therewith. 1.7.2.4 The Trustees and their estates and effects shall be fully indemnified by the ITTF against all personal risk and expense arising as a result of their appointment as Trustees. 1.7.2.5 The Trustees shall cease to act in such capacity upon ceasing to hold office as President, Deputy President or Executive Vice-Presidents. 1.7.2.6 A Minute signed by the President and a member of the Management Staff shall be conclusive evidence of a decision of any ITTF body. 1.7.3 SUBSCRIPTIONS 1.7.3.1 Each Association shall pay an annual subscription of US$150. 1.7.3.2 The first subscription shall be paid with the application for membership and subsequent subscriptions shall be due on 1st January of each year. 1.7.3.3 An Association shall be in arrears if its subscription has not been paid by 31st December of the year in which it is due. 1.8 JUDICIAL PROVISIONS 1.8.1 JUDICIAL BODIES OF THE ITTF 1.8.1.1 The judicial powers of the ITTF shall include: 1.8.1.1.1 the AGM and the EGM. 1.8.1.1.2 the ITTF Tribunal. 1.8.1.1.3 the Eligibility Commission according to the ITTF Regulations for International Competitions. 1.8.1.1.4 the ITTF Protest Panel for Para Table Tennis Classifications. 1.8.1.1.5 the International Testing Agency (ITA) and the Court of Arbitration of Sport Anti-Doping Division (CAS ADD) depending on the circumstances and according to the ITTF Anti-Doping rules procedures. 1.8.1.1.6 the Board of Appeal of Classification of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC BAC) for Para Table Tennis classification matters. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 29 1: Constitution 1.8.2 ITTF TRIBUNAL 1.8.2.1 The ITTF Tribunal is composed of up to eight members. 1.8.2.2 The ITTF Tribunal shall have a Chairperson, a Deputy Chairperson, and up to six other members. 1.8.2.3 The organisation of the ITTF Tribunal is regulated through chapter 8 of the ITTF Handbook. 1.8.3 COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT (CAS) 1.8.3.1 The ITTF recognises the independent Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with headquarters in Lausanne (Switzerland) to resolve disputes arising from this Constitution or other ITTF rules and regulations, or decisions of the ITTF which cannot be settled by the ITTF internal or external dispute resolution processes (including the ITTF Tribunal) as established in these regulations except for ITTF Para Table Tennis classification matters, which final appeal body shall be the International Paralympic Committee Board of Appeal of Classification (IPC BAC). The parties concerned shall undertake to comply with the Statutes and procedural rules of this Court of Arbitration for Sport and to accept and enforce its decisions, which are final. 1.8.4 JURISDICTION OF ASSOCIATIONS 1.8.4.1 Membership and Representation 1.8.4.1.1 A player shall be regarded as resident in a territory if his or her normal or main residence or base is in that territory; residence shall not be determined by continuity or by duration. 1.8.4.1.2 Before accepting a player into membership an Association shall satisfy itself that he or she is or intends to be resident in its territory and it shall not retain him or her if he or she terminates such residence. 1.8.4.1.3 Unless notified of any suspension or expulsion, Associations shall be entitled to regard any player or organisation resident in the territory of an Association and known to have been affiliated to it as eligible for participation. 1.8.4.1.4 No Association shall make a resident in a territory controlled by another Association or, except after a genuine change of residence, a member of another Association, a member or representative of itself without the prior permission of the other Association, 1.8.4.1.6 Any dispute under these regulations shall be referred to the Executive Committee. 1.8.4.2 Extent of Jurisdiction 1.8.4.2.1 In administering and interpreting its own regulations and decisions an Association shall exercise jurisdiction over: 1.8.4.2.1.1 players resident in its territory, while they are in that territory or in any other territory; 1.8.4.2.1.2 visiting players, while they are in its territory, except as provided in 1.8.4.3.1; ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 30 1: Constitution 1.8.4.2.1.3 players representing it in a competition who are normally resident in the territory of another Association, but only while they are taking part in that competition; 1.8.4.3 Visiting Players 1.8.4.3.1 If a visiting player is officially representing his or her Association or the ITTF in Veterans events as a result of an invitation by the visited Association, the visited Association shall acquire no rights of penalty. 1.8.4.3.1.1 The responsible management committee shall have jurisdiction over the conduct of the competition, but no subsequent penalty shall be imposed on a visiting player for any offence committed in connection with that competition. 1.8.4.3.1.2 The visited Association may protest to the visiting player's Association or the ITTF in Veterans events about such an offence, but his or her own Association shall retain sole jurisdiction over him or her and the right to impose a penalty. 1.8.4.3.2 If a visiting player participates in table tennis activities other than as an official representative of his or her Association, whether or not his or her visit is the result of an invitation by the visited Association, he or she shall be subject also to the jurisdiction of the visited Association, which shall have the right to impose a penalty for any offence committed in connection with such activities. 1.8.4.3.2.1 No such penalty shall come into operation until at least 1 calendar month after its notification with an account of all the circumstances, to the visiting player's Association. 1.8.4.3.2.2 If the visiting player's Association makes no appeal within 1 calendar month of being notified the penalty may be imposed. 1.8.4.3.2.3 If an appeal is submitted within 1 calendar month the matter shall be referred to the Board and the penalty shall not come into operation before the appeal has been decided. 1.8.4.4 Payments to Players 1.8.4.4.1 Except when acting under the direct instructions of his or her Association as its representative, a player may accept payment, reward, benefit or allowances for playing in any competition other than Olympic and Paralympic Games, or for exhibition or coaching, 1.8.4.4.2 Subject to any over-riding provisions of 1.8.4.4.1, each Association shall have absolute discretion to determine and regulate its own policy for payments, rewards, benefits and allowances in respect of players and events under its jurisdiction. 1.8.5 UNAFFILIATED PLAYERS AND ORGANISATIONS 1.8.5.1 The object is to control, but not to prevent, play between affiliated and unaffiliated players; only teams and players nominated by Associations shall participate in World and Continental Championships, but otherwise such player will, when not contrary to the principles of the ITTF or to the interests of its members, generally be permitted provided due application is made. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 31 1: Constitution 1.8.5.2 A player affiliated to an Association shall not take part in any competition, exhibition or coaching: 1.8.5.2.1 in the territory of another Association, unless the body under whose auspices the activity takes place is affiliated to and in good standing with the Association of the visited territory, except with the prior permission of that Association or the ITTF in Veterans events; 1.8.5.2.2 in a territory not having an Association or whose governing organisation is not affiliated to the ITTF, except with the permission of the Executive Committee, unless the Board has previously given permission for the governing organisation to be included temporarily in the appropriate Continental Federation pending an application for membership; 1.8.5.2.3 organised by an unaffiliated body, unless permission for the event has been given by the Executive Committee, except as provided in 1.8.5.6. 1.8.5.3 The Association controlling the territory in which a player is resident shall be responsible for ensuring that he or she complies with the requirements of 1.8.5.2. 1.8.5.4 A player resident in a territory which has no governing organisation or whose governing organisation is not affiliated to the ITTF shall not take part in any competition, exhibition or coaching in the territory of an Association, except with the permission of the Executive Committee, unless the Board has previously given permission for the governing organisation to be included temporarily in the appropriate Continental Federation pending an application for membership. 1.8.5.5 The Executive Committee may give permission for a table tennis competition to be organised by an unaffiliated body provided that: 1.8.5.5.1 the organising body has undertaken to comply with the appropriate ITTF regulations; 1.8.5.5.2 the organising body has undertaken not to include affiliated players in the event unless their Associations have given permission; 1.8.5.5.3 the organising body has undertaken not to include unaffiliated players in the event unless the Executive Committee has given permission; 1.8.5.5.4 the application to organise the event is supported by the Association, if any, controlling the territory in which the competition is to take place; 1.8.5.5.5 the supporting Association has accepted responsibility for ensuring that the organising body observes the requirements of 1.8.5.5.1-3. 1.8.5.6 Where an Association is prepared to accept responsibility for the conduct of an event organised in its territory by an unaffiliated organisation no special permission is required, but the Association shall notify the Secretariat, which will advise all other Associations that the event is in order. 1.8.5.7 Where no organising Association is available, the ITTF Executive Committee may allocate an event to an unaffiliated body, but shall cooperate with the Association controlling the event's territory. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 32 1: Constitution 1.9 FINAL PROVISIONS 1.9.1 DISSOLUTION 1.9.1.1 The ITTF shall not be dissolved other than at an EGM specially convened for the purpose. 1.9.1.2 The balance of funds in hand at the time of dissolution shall be divided equally among the Associations not at that time in arrears. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 33 2 THE LAWS OF TABLE TENNIS 2.1 THE TABLE 2.1.1 The upper surface of the table, known as the playing surface, shall be rectangular, 2.74m long and 1.525m wide, and shall lie in a horizontal plane 76cm above the floor. 2.1.2 The playing surface shall not include the vertical sides of the tabletop. 2.1.3 The playing surface may be of any material and shall yield a uniform bounce of about 23cm when a standard ball is dropped on to it from a height of 30cm. 2.1.4 The playing surface shall be uniformly dark coloured and matt, but with a white side line, 2cm wide, along each 2.74m edge and a white end line, 2cm wide, along each 1.525m edge. 2.1.5 The playing surface shall be divided into 2 equal courts by a vertical net running parallel with the end lines, and shall be continuous over the whole area of each court. 2.1.6 For doubles, each court shall be divided into 2 equal half-courts by a white centre line, 3mm wide, running parallel with the side lines; the centre line shall be regarded as part of each right half-court. 2.2 THE NET ASSEMBLY 2.2.1 The net assembly shall consist of the net, its suspension and the supporting posts, including the clamps attaching them to the table. 2.2.2 The net shall be suspended by a cord attached at each end to an upright post 15.25cm high, the outside limits of the post being 15.25cm outside the side line. 2.2.3 The top of the net, along its whole length, shall be 15.25cm above the playing surface. 2.2.4 The bottom of the net, along its whole length, shall be as close as possible to the playing surface and the ends of the net shall be attached to the supporting posts from top to bottom. 2.3 THE BALL 2.3.1 The ball shall be spherical, with a diameter of 40mm. 2.3.2 The ball shall weigh 2.7g. 2.3.3 The ball shall be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and shall be white or orange, and matt. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 34 2: The Laws of Table Tennis 2.4 THE RACKET 2.4.1 The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat and rigid. 2.4.2 At least 85% of the blade by thickness shall be of natural wood; an adhesive layer within the blade may be reinforced with fibrous material such as carbon fibre, glass fibre or compressed paper, but shall not be thicker than 7.5% of the total thickness or 0.35mm, whichever is the smaller. 2.4.3 A side of the blade used for striking the ball shall be covered with either ordinary pimpled rubber, with pimples outwards having a total thickness including adhesive of not more than 2.0mm, or sandwich rubber, with pimples inwards or outwards, having a total thickness including adhesive of not more than 4.0mm. 2.4.3.1 Ordinary pimpled rubber is a single layer of non-cellular rubber, natural or synthetic, with pimples evenly distributed over its surface at a density of not less than 10 per cm² and not more than 30 per cm². 2.4.3.2 Sandwich rubber is a single layer of cellular rubber covered with a single outer layer of ordinary pimpled rubber, the thickness of the pimpled rubber not being more than 2.0mm. 2.4.4 The blade, any layer within the blade and any layer of covering material or adhesive on a side used for striking the ball shall be continuous and of even thickness. Material suitable to shape a handle for holding the racket may be added on. 2.4.5 The covering material shall extend up to but not beyond the limits of the blade, except that the part nearest the handle and gripped by the fingers may be left uncovered or covered with any material. 2.4.6 The surface of the covering material on a side of the blade, or of a side of the blade if it is left uncovered, shall be matt, black on one side, and of a bright colour clearly distinguishable from black and from the colour of the ball on the other. 2.4.7 The racket covering shall be used without any physical, chemical or other treatment. 2.4.7.1 Slight deviations from continuity of surface or uniformity of colour as well as helpful or protective fittings may be allowed provided that they do not significantly change the characteristics of the surface. 2.4.8 Before the start of a match and whenever he or she changes his or her racket during a match a player shall show his or her opponent and the umpire the racket he or she is about to use and shall allow them to examine it. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 35 2: The Laws of Table Tennis 2.5 DEFINITIONS 2.5.1 A rally is the period during which the ball is in play. 2.5.2 The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is stationary on the palm of the free hand before being intentionally projected in service until the rally is decided as a let or a point. 2.5.3 A let is a rally of which the result is not scored. 2.5.4 A point is a rally of which the result is scored. 2.5.5 The racket hand is the hand carrying the racket. 2.5.6 The free hand is the hand not carrying the racket; the free arm is the arm of the free hand. 2.5.7 A player strikes the ball if he or she touches it in play with his or her racket, held in the hand, or with his or her racket hand below the wrist. 2.5.8 A player obstructs the ball if he or she, or anything he or she wears or carries, touches it in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing surface, not having touched his or her court since last being struck by his or her opponent. 2.5.9 The server is the player due to strike the ball first in a rally. 2.5.10 The receiver is the player due to strike the ball second in a rally. 2.5.11 The umpire is the person appointed to control a match. 2.5.12 The assistant umpire is the person appointed to assist the umpire with certain decisions. 2.5.13 Anything that a player wears or carries includes anything that he or she was wearing or carrying, other than the ball, at the start of the rally. 2.5.14 The end line shall be regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions. 2.6 THE SERVICE 2.6.1 Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the open palm of the server's stationary free hand. 2.6.2 The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards, without imparting spin, so that it rises at least 16cm after leaving the palm of the free hand and then falls without touching anything before being struck. 2.6.3 As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it touches first his or her court and then touches directly the receiver's court; in doubles, the ball shall touch successively the right half court of server and receiver. 2.6.4 From the start of service until it is struck, the ball shall be above the level of the playing surface and behind the server's end line, and it shall not be hidden from the receiver by the server or his or her doubles partner or by anything they wear or carry. 2.6.5 As soon as the ball has been projected, the server’s free arm and hand shall be removed from the space between the ball and the net. The space between the ball and the net is defined by the ball, the net and its indefinite upward extension. ITTF Handbook 2022 Page 36 2: The Laws of Table Tennis 2.6.6 It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or the assistant umpire can be satisfied that he or she complies with the requirements of the Laws, and either may decide that a service is incorrect. 2.6.6.1 If either the umpire or the assistant umpire is not sure about the legality of a service he or she may, on the first occasion in a match, interrupt play and warn the server; but any subsequent service by that player or his or her doubles partner which is not clearly legal shall be considered incorrect. 2.6.7 Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for a correct service where he or she is satisfied that compliance is prevented by physical disability. 2.7 THE RETURN 2.7.1 The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it touches the opponent's court, either directly or after touching the net assembly. 2.8 THE ORDER OF PLAY 2.8.1 In singles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return and thereafter server and receiver alternately shall each make a return. 2.8.2 In doubles, except as provided i

ITTF Handbook 2022 PDF

Document Details

Tags

Related

Summary

Full Transcript

Upgrade to continue