With just days to go until the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) holds its presidential and Executive Board elections for the 2025–2029 term, the electoral process has generated great anticipation among members of the sports community.
Current ITTF President Petra Sörling, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and holds executive roles with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), is seeking re-election. Sörling, who made history in 2021 as the ITTF’s first female president, has been recognized for her reform-driven leadership and for strengthening the organization’s financial foundations.
The Qatar support to Khalil Al-Mohannadi
This year, Sörling faces the candidacy of Khalil Al-Mohannadi from Qatar, who also ran in 2021. Al-Mohannadi has the support of his country, which is currently hosting the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships, a high-profile event that reinforces his bid.
Khalil Al-Mohannadi, who has played a key role in the development of table tennis in Qatar and the region, has the backing of the Qatari government and various national federations. His candidacy aims to strengthen the global presence of table tennis and promote the growth of the sport across all continents.
ITTF Integrity Unit investigations
In this sense, the ITTF Integrity Unit is currently reviewing official complaints and reports alleging potential rule violations by some candidates, including the presidency. While the details of these reports remain confidential, the findings could potentially impact the eligibility of certain candidates in the ongoing electoral process.
The ITTF has not made any public statements, citing the confidential nature of the investigations. This has introduced uncertainty into the elections, with the possibility of last-minute changes or disruptions still looming.
Electoral process in Doha
The ITTF General Assembly is scheduled for May 27 in Doha, where member associations will cast their votes to elect the next president and Executive Board members. This process will be crucial in shaping the future of table tennis at the international level.
