The re-election of Petra Sorling as President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) for another four-year term took place in a tense and highly controversial environment. Sorling, who first assumed the role in 2021, expressed her gratitude and commitment to the future of the sport following her victory: “It is an honour to have been elected as ITTF President for another four years. Now it’s time to look ahead — united and focused on the future.” However, the electoral process was marked by accusations, confrontations, and an atmosphere of uncertainty.
The election, held in Doha, Qatar, was far from a smooth event. The results were extremely close -Petra Sorling 104 votes and Khalil Al-Mohannadi 102-, and the decision to switch to a conventional ballot instead of an electronic voting system sparked distrust among participants. This change, requested by Sorling’s team, aimed to prevent potential manipulation but ended up fueling tensions among the delegates.
Accusations and confrontations during the electoral process
The atmosphere at the ITTF General Assembly turned chaotic after the results were announced. Supporters of the opposing candidate, Khalil Al-Mohannadi, ITTF Vice President and Qatar’s representative, questioned the legitimacy of the vote, alleging irregularities in the hybrid voting system (both in-person and online). These accusations led to verbal confrontations and tense scenes, with some delegates leaving the venue out of fear for their safety.
One of the most critical moments occurred when Al-Mohannadi, visibly upset, took the microphone to express his dissatisfaction, while his team and supporters increasingly voiced their discontent. Additionally, allegations of bribery and political pressure against European delegates were reported, prompting several witnesses to file complaints with the ITTF Integrity Unit.
Legal consequences and a troubling precedent
Following Sorling’s re-election, Al-Mohannadi’s team announced their intention to challenge the results in court, arguing that the process was riddled with irregularities. This situation has triggered an internal crisis within the ITTF, which now faces the challenge of restoring trust and ensuring the organization’s stability. The path to reconciliation appears difficult, given the level of polarization and the accusations that have surfaced during this process.
The chaos surrounding the ITTF elections highlights the structural issues affecting some international sports organizations, where political tensions and economic interests often overshadow the spirit of sport. For the ITTF and its credibility, many questions remain unanswered in the face of a divided environment that seems difficult to overcome.
