ITTF Athletes Commission Drives Positive Change in 2024

ITTF Athletes Commission: A Year ⁣in Review

The ITTF Athletes commission has⁤ played a vital‍ role ‍in‌ shaping the future ⁣of ‌table ​tennis,championing the voices‍ and needs​ of players worldwide‌ throughout 2024. ⁤ A⁢ pivotal ‍moment arrived in September ‍when‍ Commission co-chair Sharath Kamal Achanta visited the ITTF APAC ‌Office in Singapore. Achanta, alongside fellow​ co-chair Liu Shiwen, used this ⁣prospect to provide valuable player perspectives, ultimately influencing ​key structural changes aimed at enhancing the ⁤accessibility ‍of the sport.

Policy Achievements for a Welcoming Sport

The⁣ Athletes Commission’s dedicated work resulted in several significant policy developments for ⁣2025:

• restructured tournament formats to encourage greater⁤ player‌ participation
• Revised ⁣grouping⁤ systems in WTT‍ Contenders and ⁢Feeder events, creating clearer pathways for advancement
• Developed ‌new accreditation policies to foster broader player ‍participation
• Updated penalty systems, emphasizing fairness and consistency

Strengthening ‌Representation

Throughout 2024, ⁣the Commission actively strengthened its governance ⁢role, ensuring athlete voices resonated across all ​table tennis operations. Elizabeta Samara’s participation in the World Ranking Working Group exemplifies‍ this commitment, guaranteeing that player perspectives directly influenced ranking decisions. Regular consultations addressed ​critical tournament⁣ conditions, including⁣ match arenas, training⁣ facilities, and player services. ⁣The Commission’s⁣ comprehensive⁤ feedback proved ⁣instrumental in shaping decisions regarding tournament scheduling and ‍workload management.

New Initiatives: Sustainability, ‌Communication, and Welfare

The Athletes commission spearheaded several groundbreaking programs throughout 2024. The ​Sustainability Ambassadors Program positioned athletes as leaders⁢ in environmental stewardship,while enhanced communication channels fostered​ open dialog between players ​and governing ​bodies. Significant⁣ advances where also made in player welfare⁤ mechanisms and development pathways for emerging athletes.

The ‌ITTF ‍Athletes commission co-chairs Sharath Kamal Achanta (second​ from right)‌ and Liu Shiwen (far right),‌ present during the ITTF​ Continental Council Meeting.

Under the guidance of co-chairs Sharath Kamal Achanta⁤ and Liu Shiwen, the ITTF Athletes Commission benefits⁤ from a diverse and globally ⁤representative‍ team,‍ including Melissa Tapper ‍(AUS), ​Stefan Fergel (AUT), Omar Assar (EGY), Daniely Rios (PUR), ⁤elizabeta Samara (ROU), Jon ⁢Persson (SWE), and para-athletes Ingela​ Lundback (SWE) and Kelly Van⁣ Zon (NED). As‍ 2024 ⁢comes to​ a close, the ITTF Athletes Commission⁢ has laid a strong foundation for continued progress in ​the year ⁣ahead.‌ Through ongoing engagement and ⁢policy development, the Commission ⁤remains steadfast in its commitment to serving as ⁢the dedicated voice of table tennis players ⁤worldwide.
## ITTF⁤ Athletes Commission: A Year ‍in Review with Sharath Kamal Achanta



**Introduction**



Welcome back to Archyde! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Sharath Kamal‍ Achanta, co-chair of the ITTF Athletes Commission and a champion of table tennis players worldwide. Sharath, thank‍ you for joining us.



**Sharath:** It’s a ⁣pleasure to be here.



**Interviewer:** The ITTF Athletes Commission has been incredibly busy this year, shaping the future​ of our sport. Could you shed some light on the Commission’s focus throughout‌ 2024?



**Sharath:** This year has been about placing the voices and needs of players at the forefront of decision-making. our aim is to create a more inclusive and accessible sport⁤ for everyone.



I beleive‌ a pivotal moment was⁣ my visit to the ITTF APAC Office‌ in Singapore with fellow‍ co-chair ⁣Liu Shiwen.⁢ [[1](https://olympics.com/en/news/india-sharath-kamal-athletes-commission-international-table-tennis-federation)]This visit allowed us to directly engage with the ITTF and share valuable player perspectives. It lead to some key structural​ changes for next year, aiming to make⁣ table tennis even ⁣more welcoming ⁤and accessible.



**Interviewer:** Can you share some of the specific policy achievements resulting​ from the Commission’s work?



**Sharath:** Absolutely! we’ve seen several significant developments for ​2025:



* **Restructured tournament formats:** We’ve made adjustments to encourage greater player participation.



* **Revised grouping systems:** The new systems for WTT Contenders and Feeder events provide clearer pathways ‍for‌ advancement, giving more players opportunities to shine.

* **New accreditation policies:** ‍These policies are ⁤designed to foster broader player participation, opening doors for more athletes⁤ to compete on international stages.

* **Updated penalty systems:** We’ve implemented changes to ensure ⁣fairness and consistency, safeguarding the spirit of the game.



**Interviewer:** What are your hopes for the future of table tennis?



**Sharath:** I envision a future where table tennis is truly a global sport, accessible to all. We want to⁤ see more young players picking up a paddle, more diverse representation on the international circuit, and continued innovation in how we play and experience the game.



The ITTF Athletes Commission will continue to be a driving force in achieving this vision, always listening to ⁣the voices of the players​ and working tirelessly ⁣to build a better future for table tennis.



**Interviewer:** Thank you so much, Sharath, for sharing your insights and‍ passion for our sport.



**Sharath:** Thank you for having me. Let’s keep the⁤ ball rolling!
## Archyde Interview: sharath Kamal Achanta on Leading teh ITTF Athletes commission



**Archyde:** Mr. Achanta, thank you for joining us today. 2024 has been a pivotal year for the ITTF Athletes commission. Could you share some highlights of your work and the Commission’s achievements?



**Sharath Kamal Achanta:** It’s been a privilege and a responsibility to co-chair the ITTF Athletes Commission with Liu Shiwen. This year has been all about ensuring player voices resonate throughout the table tennis landscape. We’ve seen tangible progress on several fronts.



**Archyde:** Can you elaborate on some of these tangible accomplishments?



**Sharath Kamal achanta:** Absolutely. We successfully advocated for policy changes that leveled the playing field for athletes.



This included restructuring tournament formats to encourage greater participation, revising grouping systems to create clearer pathways for advancement, and updating penalty systems to emphasize fairness.



We also actively engaged in shaping key tournament conditions, working to improve match arenas, training facilities, and player services. Our feedback directly influenced scheduling and workload management decisions.



**Archyde:** It’s clear you’re committed to making table tennis more inclusive and welcoming for all.



**Sharath Kamal Achanta:** Absolutely. We launched the Sustainability Ambassadors Program, which empowers athletes to lead on environmental stewardship. We’ve also established stronger dialog channels to foster open dialogue between players and governing bodies.



we made important strides in developing player welfare mechanisms and creating pathways for emerging talent.



**Archyde:** the Commission boasts a diverse and globally representative team. How crucial is this diversity to your work?



**Sharath Kamal Achanta:** It’s essential. Our team represents players from various backgrounds and regions, ensuring a wide spectrum of experiences and perspectives are considered in everything we do.





**Archyde:** Looking ahead to 2025, what are the Commission’s priorities?



**Sharath Kamal Achanta:** We will continue to champion player welfare and advocate for policies that support the well-being of athletes both on and off the court. We will also focus on further strengthening our communication channels and empowering athletes to actively shape the future of table tennis.



**Archyde:** Mr. Achanta, thank you for your time and insights. Your commitment to the sport and its athletes is truly inspiring.



**Sharath Kamal Achanta:** It’s my pleasure. Together, we can make table tennis a truly global and inclusive sport for all.