Latest news with #QatarTableTennisAssociation
Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Table tennis-ITTF to probe AGM disruption after presidential election
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) said it will investigate the disruption that forced the suspension of its annual general meeting in Doha this week after the re-election of Petra Sorling as president. The disruption started when Sorling, the ITTF's first female president, was re-elected until 2029 with 104 votes to the 102 received by her Qatari opponent, Khalil Al-Mohannadi. "After the presidential election had already concluded, the AGM had to be suspended following the disruption initiated by individuals who were neither delegates from member associations, nor members of the executive board, council, committees, or invited guests," the ITTF said in a statement on Thursday. "The ITTF regrets and strongly condemns the disruption. It will conduct an investigation to determine the various responsibilities and take measures, in particular, to avoid a similar disruption from happening in the future." The Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) also released a statement claiming there had been discrepancies in the online voting and calling for an independent and transparent review of the election. "We are prepared to cooperate with any independent investigation or tribunal, including before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)," it said. The ITTF defended the legitimacy of the election process and said it was prepared to address any formal complaints in "the appropriate forum". Sorling decided to leave the meeting because she did not feel safe, as did the Swedish delegation, the Swedish Table Tennis Association (SBTF) said in a statement. The ITTF said it would reconvene the AGM before November this year to address agenda items that could not be completed in Doha. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Sorling's security fear claims during ITTF AGM false: QTTA
Tribune News Network Doha The Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) had dismissedITTF President Petra Sorling's claims that she felt unsafe during the IITF Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Doha on Tuesday. The entire AGM was broadcast live through Youtube channel. In a clarification issued on Wednesday, QTTA stated: 'As the host of the 2025 ITTF Annual General Meeting (AGM), the Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) takes seriously recent media reports suggesting that ITTF President Petra Sorling felt unsafe during the meeting and was escorted out under duress. These claims warrant factual clarification. Throughout the AGM, all security, protocol, and support services functioned without interruption. Ms. Sorling, like all delegates and officials, had access to comprehensive, round-the-clock VIP transportation, logistical coordination, and hotel-based support. At no point was her movement restricted or her personal security compromised. Video footage confirms that Ms. Sorling left the stage voluntarily and walked unimpeded to her room within the same hotel complex where the AGM was taking place. There was no intervention, no confrontation, and no diplomatic escort out of the premises. While we acknowledge that personal experiences and emotional perceptions can differ, we respectfully emphasize that a subjective sense of discomfort is not an indication of a security failure. QTTA did not receive any complaints or requests for assistance from Ms. Sorling or the ITTF Executive during or after her departure. Moreover, it is important to note that QTTA and its leadership, including Mr. Khalil Al-Mohannadi, have worked closely with Ms. Sörling for years. She has always received and benefited from QTTA's full cooperation, hospitality, and public support in multiple international contexts. That legacy of collaboration makes it especially regrettable that the current circumstances are being framed in a manner that implies hostility or neglect by the host federation. QTTA stands by its record and the professionalism of its staff and volunteers, who ensured that every delegate was treated with respect, care and dignity .'
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
ITTF presidential election flawed: QTTA
Tribune News Network Doha The Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) has called for an independent and transparent review of the 2025 ITTF Presidential Election held in Doha at the world table tennis body's Annual General Meeting on Tuesday. The QTTA on Wednesday questioned the 'integrity of the election and misleading international narratives' after incumbent Petra Sorling 'prevailed' in an acrimonious election – beset by online vote issue. Sorling, a Swede, was announced to have been re-elected for a second term emerging over Qatar's Khalil Al Mohannadi by 104 votes to 102. Al Mohannadi received 98 paper ballot votes against Sorling's 87 while the latter was announced to have received 17 online votes and Al Mohannadi 4. The official roll call had stated 16 online voters which in the results showed the number to be 21 - an increase of five. QTTA, hosts of the 2025 ITTF AGM), in a formal statement called out procedural failures during the ITTF presidential election. It stated: 'The facts are clear: * The official roll call documented 185 in-person delegates and 16 online, forming the legal quorum. * The final voting screen, now widely circulated, showed 21 online votes, five more than announced. These five ballots were never declared, validated, or included in the roll call. * The paper vote, conducted at the explicit request of the Member Federations, produced a clear victory for Mr. Khalil Al-Mohannadi: * 98 votes to 87 in his favor. That paper vote was open, monitored, and binding. It represented the collective will of the General Assembly, until it was nullified by an unexplained and unauthorized surge of digital votes that overturned the outcome and handed a narrow 104-102 win to Ms. Sorling. This is not only a discrepancy. It is a breach of electoral legitimacy, of constitutional fidelity, and of the very integrity on which international sport depends. The QITA, and countless Member Federations, have made repeated, reasonable, and legally grounded requests for the following: * A release of login timestamps and access logs for all online voters; * A public explanation for the inclusion of five additional votes after the quorum had been declared; * Preservation of the full AGM video recording, roll call documentation, and forensic access to the LUMI voting system. None of these requests have been honoured by the ITTF. The shock, disbelief, and frustration, expressed in real time, came not from one region, but from a chorus of voices from Europe, Africa, Asia, and beyond, all taking the floor to plead for justice and clarity. In the immediate aftermath of the AGM's suspension, QTTA received an overwhelming number of messages from Member Federations across all continents. These messages expressed: * Alarm at the gross irregularities observed; * Solidarity with Mr. Khalil Al-Mohannadi as a candidate subjected to unfair procedural treatment. The Qatar Table Tennis Association affirms the following: * All digital and physical records relating to the AGM are being preserved. * We are logging and documenting every communication, procedural action, and irregularity for legal and institutional review. * We are prepared to cooperate with any independent investigation or tribunal, including before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). We will not participate in a shadow war through the media. This battle is not for headlines, it is for the future of our sport. We urge the ITTF to abide by the principles and values that are central to our sport. The collective message from our ITTF family is clear: the election must be reviewed — independently, transparently, and immediately.'
Qatar Tribune
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Sheikh Joaan conducts field visit to World Table Tennis Championships venue
DOHA: President of Qatar Olympic Committee HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani has conducted a field visit to Lusail Arena, one of the venues for the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025, which Qatar is hosting for the second time following the successful 2004 edition. The world-class championship will feature 640 top-ranked male and female players competing in 443 thrilling matches from May 17 to 25 at Lusail Arena and Qatar University. The Qatar Table Tennis Association (ATTA) has provided full support for the athletes to ensure they represent Qatar with pride in this global event.
Qatar Tribune
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar's magnificent seven ready for home glory at ITTF Doha 2025 Worlds
Tribune News Network Doha As the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 approaches, seven of Qatar's finest table tennis athletes prepare to represent their nation with pride on the global stage from 17-25 May at the prestigious championship event. When the first ball is struck on Saturday, players from across the international table tennis community will begin their campaigns. For the seven Qatari representatives, the opportunity to compete at a World Championships on home soil represents a significant milestone. Qatar will field competitors across all five championship events, demonstrating the nation's comprehensive participation: Men's Singles: Ahmed Korani, Sultan Al-Kuwari, and Mohammed Abdulwahhab will test their skills against the world's elite. Women's Singles: Maryam Ali and Aia Mohamed carry Qatar's aspirations in the women's competition. Men's Doubles: Two partnerships take to the table with Rawad Alnaser/Sultan Al-Kuwari and Abdullah Abdulwahhab/Mohammed Abdulwahhab. Women's Doubles: Aia Mohamed and Maryam Ali form Qatar's women's partnership. Mixed Doubles: Aia Mohamed/Mohammed Abdulwahhab and Maryam Ali/Ahmed Korani represent Qatar in the combined event. The Qatar players have prepared for the major event by participating in global, continental, and local tournaments, alongside both local and international training camps to reach their peak performance. The team's extensive experience, gained from previous international competitions, positions them well to achieve impressive results. The draw has placed the Qatari players in tough matches in the early rounds. In men's singles, Sultan Khalid Al Kuwari will meet Belgian Martin Allegro, ranked 82nd, while Mohammed Abdulwahhab will meet 108th-ranked New Zealand's Alfred Dela Pena. In women's singles, Aia Magdy plays Cuba's Rosalba Aguiar, ranked 185th, and Maryam Ali faces Chile's Zhiying Zeng, ranked 165th. The men's doubles team of Mohammed Abdulwahhab and Abdullah Abdulwahhab will compete against Cuba's Andy Pereira and Jorge Campos. In women's doubles, Aia Magdy and Maryam Ali will face Germany's Sabine Winter and Yuan Wan. In mixed doubles, Mohammed Abdulwahhab and Aia Magdy will meet Thailand's Thitaphat Preechayan and Kulapassr Vijitviriyagul, while Ahmed Korani and Maryam Ali will face Algeria's Milhane Jellouli and Amina Kessaci. The championships will see the participation of 640 players, with 256 competing in singles, 256 in men's and women's doubles, and 128 in mixed doubles in 443 matches. The Qatar Table Tennis Association (ATTA) has provided full support for the athletes to ensure they represent Qatar with pride in this global event. With the home support creating an exceptional environment, Qatar's athletes aim to deliver performances that will resonate with local supporters while showcasing their capabilities on the World Championships stage. The seven Qatari representatives carry the aspirations of their nation as they prepare to participate in what promises to be a memorable championship tournament. Mohammed Abdulwahhab, a member of the Qatari team, said that the competition would be challenging but expressed his determination to go as far as possible in the tournament. He called on the fans for support and to help make the championship a success. He also expressed confidence that the event would be organized exceptionally well. Aia Magdy shared similar sentiments, noting that while the competition would be tough, playing in Qatar was a great honor and motivation for each player to perform at their best. Member of QTTA Board of Directors and Chairman of the National Teams Committee Thani Al Zarraa said that the players were fully prepared to represent Qatar honorably, stressing that the Association has provided full support to the players at all levels to ensure proper preparation for the Championships. He also expressed confidence in their ability to use their experiences to excel in the competition, noting that the players had achieved significant success in previous championships, even reaching semifinals and defeating top-ranked players. Participating in the World Table Tennis Championships is seen as a golden opportunity for Qatari players to prove themselves among the world's elite, despite the tough competition. The event is highly anticipated, with the expectation of a historic, world-class organization. Qatar is the first Arab and GCC country to host the World Championships for the second time, having previously hosted it in 2004.
