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The International Table Tennis Federation

 

Handbook

2003-2004

 

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1  CONSTITUTION

 

1.1

NAME

1.1.1

The Federation shall be called The International Table Tennis Federation, referred to elsewhere in this Constitution by its abbreviated title "ITTF".                       

 

 

1.2

COMPOSITION

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.

1.2.2

The ITTF is a not-for-profit organisation governed by Article 60 and its derivatives of the Swiss Civil Code; it is endowed with legal status and its members, officers and employees shall not be responsible for its debts.

1.2.3

Associations shall not be regarded as agents of the ITTF.

 

 

1.3

PRINCIPLES

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 or other grounds.

1.3.2

The ITTF shall observe the general and fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter and no provision of this Constitution shall be deemed to conflict with or derogate from those principles.

1.3.3

The ITTF shall co-operate with the IOC, ASOIF, GAISF and other organisations that recognise it as the controlling and governing authority for table tennis throughout the world.

 

 

1.4

OBJECTS

1.4.1

The objects of the ITTF shall be:

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;

1.4.1.2

to regulate relations between Associations and between Associations and other organisations;

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;

1.4.1.4

 to foster friendly sporting competition and to eliminate unfair and unsporting practices such as the use of drugs to enhance performance;

 

 

1.4.1.5

to establish and maintain the Laws of Table Tennis and the Regulations for International Competitions;

1.4.1.6

to publish the standard text, which shall be the English text, of the Rules, consisting of the Constitution, the Laws and the Regulations;

1.4.1.7

to encourage the publication of the Rules in other languages and to check the accuracy of such publications;

1.4.1.8

to promote and to supervise World and Olympic title competitions;

1.4.1.9

to employ the funds of the ITTF as may be expedient in the interests of international table tennis;

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.

 

 

1.5

MANAGEMENT

1.5.1

The governing body of the ITTF shall be the General Meeting, consisting of the assembled representatives of Associations.

1.5.1.1

Each Association shall be entitled to 2 representatives, referred to elsewhere in this Constitution as “delegates” at a General Meeting.

1.5.1.2

There shall be an Annual General Meeting, referred to elsewhere in this Constitution as “AGM”.

1.5.2

Between AGMs the work of the ITTF shall be managed, in accordance with policy decided by the AGM, by a Board of Directors, referred to elsewhere in this Constitution as “Board”, to which the AGM may delegate any of its powers.

1.5.2.1

The Board shall consist of the President, Deputy President, Executive Vice-Presidents, Continental Vice-Presidents and 32 Continental representatives.  Chairmen of Committees and Commissions shall be co-opted as members of the Board at the first meeting of the Board following the AGM.

1.5.2.2           

The Board shall meet as required during the period of the AGM but shall otherwise conduct its business by correspondence.

1.5.2.3           

The Board shall determine the terms of reference for Equipment, Media, Nominations, Ranking, Rules, Sports Science, Technical, and Umpires & Referees Committees, as well as for the Athletes Commission and Junior Commission. The Board may determine the terms of reference for any other Committee, Commission, working group or panel that it may from time to time establish.

1.5.3

An Executive Committee shall have power to deal with all current or urgent business, reporting to the Board at its next meeting.

 

 

1.5.3.1

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Deputy President and 5 Executive Vice-Presidents of which one shall be responsible for finance.

1.5.3.2

The Executive Committee shall meet during the period of the AGM and otherwise when convened by the President.

1.5.4      

An Executive Council shall initiate and review proposals for the development of table tennis, shall decide appeals on questions of eligibility, review membership applications and appoint special working groups assigned responsibilities for the development of table tennis.

1.5.4.1

The Executive Council shall consist of the members of the Executive Committee and the Continental Vice-Presidents.

1.5.4.2

The Executive Council shall meet at intervals of about 6 months when convened by the President.

 

 

1.6

ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENT

1.6.1

All members of the Board, the President, Deputy President and Executive Vice-Presidents shall be elected at an AGM held in the year following the year of the Olympic Games and shall serve for a four-year term, but shall be eligible for re-election. (To take effect as of 2005)

1.6.2

The AGM shall elect for each Continent a Continental Vice-President and Continental representatives nominated by that Continent. The number of Continental representatives, excluding the Continental Vice-President, shall be proportional to the number of its member Associations not in arrears in that Continent and shall not exceed 32.

1.6.3      

The AGM shall appoint, in odd numbered years, the full members of Committees and Commissions, on the recommendation of the Nominations Committee.

1.6.4

The Board shall appoint, in odd numbered years, the Chairmen of Committees and Commissions, on the recommendation of the Executive Committee.

1.6.5

The President may appoint a President’s Advisory Council to advise him on various matters. Members of the President’s Advisory Council shall be invited to attend the AGM as observers.

 

 

1.7

VACANCIES

1.7.1

If the President resigns or is unable to continue in office he shall be replaced by the Deputy President and the post of Deputy President shall be assumed by the Executive Vice-President having the longest continuous period of service, who shall continue to serve as an Executive Vice-President and who shall not be replaced.

1.7.2

A vacancy arising in the post of Deputy President shall be filled by the Executive Vice-President having the longest continuous period of service, who shall continue to serve as an Executive Vice-President and who shall not be replaced.

1.7.3

A vacancy arising in the posts of Executive Vice-President shall be filled by simple majority vote at a Board meeting.

1.7.4

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.

 

 

1.8

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1.8.1

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.

1.8.2

At its meeting the Board shall review all propositions and resolutions submitted to the Board and, where appropriate, refer them for consideration by Committees.

1.8.3

The Chairman at a Board meeting shall be the President, or, in his absence, the Deputy President; if both are absent the members present shall elect one of their members as Chairman for that meeting.

1.8.4

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 Chairman shall have a casting vote.

1.8.5

Voting shall be by a show of hands, a roll call or a ballot, as decided by the meeting on a proposition by the Chairman.

1.8.6

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.

 

 

1.9

OLYMPICS COMMISSION

1.9.1

The Olympics Commission shall consist of the members of the Executive Committee, the Continental Vice-Presidents and a representative of the country organising the next Olympic Games.

1.9.2

The Commission shall be responsible for:

1.9.2.1

planning, control and supervision of the table tennis events in the Olympic Games;

1.9.2.2

1.9.2.2            liasing with the International Olympic Committee, National Olympic Committees and Associations on all matters concerning Olympic competitions;

 

 

1.9.2.3

enforcement of the eligibility regulations and confirmation of the eligibility of entrants for Olympic events;

1.9.2.4

drafting and submission to the Board of proposals for a qualifying system for entry into Olympic events;

1.9.2.5

appointing a Jury, Technical Representatives and all officials for the table tennis events;

1.9.2.6

ensuring that the table tennis events at Olympic Games comply with the letter and the spirit of the Olympic Charter;

1.9.2.7

initiating and reviewing proposals for the table tennis events at the Olympic Games

1.9.3

The Commission shall meet during the period of the AGM and at other times when convened by the President.

1.9.4

A member of the management staff, appointed by the President, shall attend all meetings of the Commission and shall draft its minutes and reports.

1.9.5

The Commission shall submit a written report to the AGM.

 

 

1.1

COMMITTEES

1.10.1

Each Committee shall have not more than 8 full members and 6 corresponding members.

1.10.2

Committees shall normally meet during the period of the AGM and shall otherwise conduct their business by correspondence.

1.10.3

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.

1.10.4

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 Chairman of that Committee shall be considered to have agreed to any resulting recommendation submitted in the name of the Committee.

1.10.5

The Chairman 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.

1.10.6

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.

1.10.7 

All members of Committees shall be entitled to attend General Meetings but without vote unless representing an Association.

1.10.8 

The Nominations Committee shall be composed of 8 members including the Chairman, with an Executive Vice-President and all Continental Vice-Presidents as ex-officio members.

1.10.9

The Nominations Committee shall check the adequacy 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.

 

 

1.11

ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE

1.11.1

Nominations for President, Deputy President, Executive Vice-President, Continental Vice-President and members of the Board or Committees may be made only with the consent of the Association of which the nominee is a member; if the consent is revoked after the nominee has been appointed he may be removed from his post only by a 2/3 majority vote of the Board.

1.11.2

No more than 1 person from an Association shall be nominated for the same post.

1.11.3

Continental representatives on the Board, other than the Continental Vice-President, shall each be from a different Association.

1.11.4

A member of an Association that is in arrears (1.15.3.3) shall not be eligible for election.

1.11.5

No person shall at the same time serve as a member of the Executive Committee and as a Continental Vice-President.

1.11.6

No person shall serve at the same time as a full member of more than 1 Committee and no more than 4 such posts shall be occupied by members of one Association.

1.11.7

No member of the Executive Committee shall serve on a Committee without the specific permission of the Board.

1.11.8

A person connected in any way with the manufacture, sale or endorsement of table tennis equipment or with consultation on such equipment:

1.11.8.1

shall not be eligible as a member of the Executive Committee or a Continental Vice-President;

1.11.8.2

may serve on a Committee or otherwise represent an Association but shall withdraw from a meeting or abstain from voting on an issue if so requested by a majority of the meeting that he is attending.

 

 

1.12

OTHER APPOINTMENTS

1.12.1

The Board shall appoint:

1.12.1.1

an Athletes' Commission to advise the Board on the development of table tennis, consisting of 1 representative nominated by each Continent and 2 former players nominated by the Executive Committee.

1.12.1.2 

 a Calendar Working Group to authorise the dates of World and Continental title competitions, Open International Championships and other ITTF-promoted competitions; its decisions shall be subject to appeal to the Executive Committee, whose decision shall be final.

1.12.1.3  

 a Junior Commission to advise the Board on Junior matters and to co-ordinate international junior programmes including the World junior Championships. The Junior Commission shall meet annually at the World Junior Championships.

1.12.1.4  

The Board may appoint other commissions, working groups or panels as may be needed from time to time 

 

 

1.13

MANAGEMENT STAFF

1.13.1

The Executive Committee shall appoint management staff on agreed terms and conditions and in accordance with the management plan approved by the Board of Directors from time to time. 

1.13.2

An Executive Director shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and shall be responsible for the direction and supervision of the ITTF’s Head Office.

 

 

1.14

ADMINISTRATION

1.14.1

Office

1.14.1.1

The Head Office of the ITTF shall be in a place appointed by resolution of the AGM or, in emergency, of the Board..

1.14.2

Languages

1.14.2.1

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, French, German, Russian and Spanish.

1.14.2.2

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.

1.14.3

Publications

1.14.3.1

The ITTF shall from time to time publish an official Handbook and other guidance documents in English; 10 copies of each such publication shall be supplied free to each Association.

1.14.3.2

The ITTF shall publish an official Bulletin and shall supply a copy of each issue free to each Association.

 

 

1.14.3.3

Each Association shall appoint a representative, notifying his name and address to the Secretariat, to co-operate with the latter in the supply of news.

1.14.3.4

A copy of each issue of each official journal shall be sent by the publishing Association to the Secretariat and to every other Association that supplies the publishing Association with an address for that purpose.

 

 

1.15

FINANCE

1.15.1

Accounts

1.15.1.1

The financial year of the ITTF shall end on 31st December.

1.15.1.2

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

1.15.1.3

The bank accounts of the ITTF shall be held at banks appointed by resolution of the Board on recommendation by the Executive Committee.

1.15.2

Trustees

1.15.2.1

The President, Deputy President and Executive Vice-Presidents shall be 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 Board of Directors for the purposes of the ITTF.

1.15.2.2

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 of Directors may from time to time direct.

1.15.2.3

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.

1.15.2.4

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.

1.15.2.5

The Trustees shall cease to act in such capacity upon ceasing to hold office as President, Deputy President or Executive Vice-Presidents.

1.15.2.6

A Minute signed by the President and a member of the Management Staff shall be conclusive evidence of a decision of the Board of Directors.

1.15.3

Subscriptions

1.15.3.1

 Each Association shall pay an annual subscription of US$ 150 or the equivalent in Swiss Francs.

 

 

1.15.3.2

The first subscription shall be paid with the application for membership and subsequent subscriptions shall be due on 1st January of each year.

1.15.3.3 

  An Association shall be in arrears if its subscription has not been paid by 31st December of the year in which it is due.

 

 

1.16

MEMBERSHIP

1.16.1

Eligibility

1.16.1.1

Any organisation representing table tennis in a territory and observing the principles of the ITTF may be elected a member but it shall be recognised as representative only of the territory in which it controls and governs the sport.

1.16.1.2

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

1.16.1.2.1

its separateness is due to circumstances outside the sport and of the players concerned

1.16.1.2.2

the jurisdiction it claims is clearly limited, in title and constitution, to the territory in which it controls the sport;

1.16.1.2.3

it is otherwise qualified for membership.

1.16.1.3

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.

1.16.1.4

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 BGM and shall not be renewed indefinitely.

1.16.2

Application and Election

1.16.2.1

Applications for membership shall be made on a form approved by the Board.

1.16.2.2

All applications shall be submitted not later than 6 calendar months before the date of the General Meeting at which the application is to be considered.

1.16.2.3

The Executive Council shall review all applications on behalf of the Board and make recommendations on acceptance.

1.16.2.4

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.  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.

1.16.2.5

In the consideration of applications for combined membership by Associations formerly in separate membership, or for separate 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.

1.16.2.6

The representatives of an Association elected to membership at a General Meeting shall be entitled to attend the meeting and to vote after election.

1.16.2.7

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.

1.16.3

Suspension and Termination

1.16.3.1

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 31st December of the same year but the Association shall be liable for the subscription due for that year.

1.16.3.2

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 Board.

1.16.3.3

An Association that is suspended from membership shall 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 a General Meeting.

1.16.3.4

An Association which seriously and persistently fails to maintain the principles or to respect the Constitution and decisions of the ITTF may be censured, fined, suspended or expelled by a General Meeting; a suspension may be cancelled only by a General Meeting or, in emergency, by a 3/4 majority of the votes cast at a Board meeting.

1.16.4

Personal Honorary Membership

1.16.4.1

An official who has given long, outstanding service to the ITTF may, on retirement, be appointed a Personal Honorary Member for his lifetime by the AGM on a recommendation by the Board.

1.16.4.2

Personal Honorary Members shall be entitled to attend World Championships, with free hospitality, and to attend General Meetings with the right to speak but not to vote.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.17

ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS

1.17.1

Continental Federations

1.17.1.1

Associations may group themselves into Continental Federations for the purpose of promoting and regulating table tennis within a given continental area; 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.

1.17.1.2

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.

1.17.1.3

Membership of the Continental Federation shall be open to Associations whose address in the ITTF Handbook 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.

1.17.1.4

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.

1.17.1.5

Parts of an Association which lie wholly within a Continental area other than that in which the address of that Association in the ITTF Handbook 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.

1.17.1.6

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.

1.17.2

Other Regional Groups

1.17.2.1

Associations may group themselves into non‑Continental regional organisations for the purpose of competition provided that, where the competition is for a regional title, the event is open to all Associations in the region and that the Constitution is observed in respect of play with unaffiliated organisations or players.

 

 

1.18

GENERAL MEETINGS

1.18.1

Place and Time

1.18.1.1

An AGM shall be held at the place, and during the period, of the World Championships or, if the World Championships is not held at the due time, at such other place and date as the Board may determine.

1.18.1.2

An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) shall be convened 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 (1.15.3.3), representing at least 2 Continents.

1.18.2

Notice of Meeting

1.18.2.1

Notice of the meeting, giving details of the place, date and time and the business to be transacted, together with a proxy form, shall be sent by post to each Association; the person and address to which the notice is sent shall be as last notified by each Association to the Secretariat.

1.18.2.2

For an AGM the notice shall be sent not later than 2 calendar months before the date of the meeting.

1.18.2.3

For an EGM the notice shall be sent not later than 1 calendar month before the date of the meeting.

1.18.3

Notice of Business

1.18.3.1

Details in writing of business to be dealt with at an AGM must reach the Secretariat not later than 3 calendar months before the date of the meeting.

1.18.3.2

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.

1.18.3.3

Business and propositions, 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 without introducing a new principle or relate to an emergency may be admitted by a vote in favour of 2/3 of the votes cast at the AGM.

1.18.3.4

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 General Meeting shall be transacted at such a meeting.

1.18.4

Procedure

1.18.4.1

The agenda for an AGM shall include:

1.18.4.1.1

the appointment of a Chairman;

1.18.4.1.2

a roll call of the Associations present;

1.18.4.1.3

the appointment of scrutineers;

1.18.4.1.4

the confirmation of the Minutes of the previous General Meeting;

1.18.4.1.5

the consideration of applications for membership;

1.18.4.1.6

the receipt of reports from President, Deputy President, Executive Vice-Presidents and Continental Vice-Presidents which, with the possible exception of that from the President, shall be given in writing;

1.18.4.1.7

the receipt of reports from Committees and the Olympics Commission;

1.18.4.1.8

the receipt of the audited statement of accounts for the previous year;

1.18.4.1.9

the consideration of propositions and the reports of any Committees that have studied them;

1.18.4.1.10

when appropriate, the election of President, Deputy President, Executive Vice-Presidents, Chairmen of Committees and Commissions and Auditors;

1.18.4.1.11

the consideration of arrangements for future World Championships.

1.18.4.2

No speaker shall speak more than once on a proposition except that the proposer shall have the right of reply and that the Chairman may, at his discretion, allow a speaker to speak more than once to answer a query arising from his original speech.

1.18.4.3

The Chairman 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.

1.18.4.4

A question once decided may not be reverted to for re‑discussion and re‑vote unless the Chairman 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 Chairman's ruling that the matter is not of sufficient urgency to justify reconsideration must be taken whenever it is moved.

1.18.5

Voting

1.18.5.1

Each Association not in arrears shall have 1 vote.

1.18.5.2

Questions shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast except that:

1.18.5.2.1 

changes to the Constitution, 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;

 

 

1.18.5.2.2

expulsions from membership and changes to the Laws of Table Tennis require a 3/4 majority of the votes cast;

1.18.5.2.3

dissolution of the ITTF requires a 4/5 majority of the votes cast.

1.18.5.3

If there is an equality of votes on an administrative or financial matter the Chairman 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.

1.18.5.4

Voting other than in elections shall be by roll call in alphabetical order of Associations, starting with a name drawn at random, except where the Chairman is satisfied after a show of hands that such procedure is not necessary.

1.18.5.5

Each Continental Vice‑President shall nominate 2 persons from his Continent, for approval by the meeting, to form a list of scrutineers.

1.18.5.6

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.

1.18.6

Elections

1.18.6.1

Where there are more candidates for a post or posts than the number of vacancies there shall be a ballot, which shall be won by the candidate or candidates obtaining the highest numbers of votes.

1.18.6.2

If there is an equality of votes in the first ballot there shall be a second ballot among those equal; if there is still an equality of votes preference shall be given to the appointment of a representative of an Association which is otherwise not represented and, where this is not decisive, the outcome shall be determined by lot.

1.18.7

Proxies

1.18.7.1

If an Association wishes to appoint as a proxy, another Association or a member of the Board of Directors, to represent it at a General Meeting, notice of the appointment must reach the Secretariat not later than 3 days before the date of the meeting.

1.18.7.2

No Association shall give a proxy to another Association where the territories over which both exercise authority form part of the same state unity.

1.18.7.3

No Association shall hold more than 1 proxy on behalf of other Associations.

1.18.7.4 

A Board of Directors member may hold 1 proxy on behalf of another association but may not hold a proxy as an Association delegate at the same time.

 

 

 

 

1.19

CHANGES TO RULES

1.19.1

Rule change propositions and resolutions may be submitted to the AGM or the Board by Associations, the Executive Committee, the Executive Board, Continental Federations, Committees and Commissions and to the AGM by the Board.

1.19.2

Rule change propositions to be considered at an AGM or a Board meeting must reach the Secretariat not later than 3 months before the date of the meeting.

1.19.3

Amendments to the Constitution and the Laws of Table Tennis shall be made only at a General Meeting; amendments to other Regulations shall be made only at a meeting of the Board held immediately after the AGM.

1.19.4

Details of all rule change proposals shall be published in the agenda of the meeting at which they are to be considered.

1.19.5

Unless specifically decided otherwise changes shall take effect from the first day of the next playing season, which in the northern hemisphere shall be 1st September, except that

1.19.5.1

changes affecting finance shall take effect from the first day of the next ITTF financial year;

1.19.5.2

changes affecting equipment shall take effect from 1st September in the year following the year in which the change is made.

 

 

1.2

JURISDICTION OF ASSOCIATIONS

1.20.1

Membership and Representation

1.20.1.1

A player shall be regarded as resident in a territory if his normal or main residence or base is in that territory; residence shall not be determined by continuity or by duration.

1.20.1.2

Before accepting a player into membership an Association shall satisfy itself that he is or intends to be resident in its territory and it shall not retain him if he terminates such residence.

1.20.1.3

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.

1.20.1.4

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, except as provided in 1.20.1.5.

1.20.1.5

An Association may nominate as its representative at a General Meeting a resident of the territory in which the meeting takes place, provided that he has never been a member of another Association; such a nominee may be admitted as a representative by majority vote at the General Meeting for which he is nominated.

1.20.1.6

Any dispute under these regulations shall be referred to the Board.

1.20.2

Extent of Jurisdiction

1.20.2.1

In administering and interpreting its own regulations and decisions an Association shall exercise jurisdiction over:

1.20.2.1.1

players resident in its territory, while they are in that territory or in any other territory;

1.20.2.1.2

visiting players, while they are in its territory, except as provided in 1.20.3.1;

1.20.2.1.3

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;

1.20.2.1.4

a resident of a territory in which a General Meeting takes place who is acting as its representative at the General Meeting, as provided in 1.20.1.5.

1.20.3

Visiting Players

1.20.3.1

If a visiting player is officially representing his Association as a result of an invitation by the visited Association, the visited Association shall acquire no rights of penalty.

1.20.3.1.1

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.

1.20.3.1.2

The visited Association may protest to the visiting player's Association about such an offence, but his own Association shall retain sole jurisdiction over him and the right to impose a penalty.

1.20.3.2

If a visiting player participates in table tennis activities other than as an official representative of his Association, whether or not his visit is the result of an invitation by the visited Association, he 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.

1.20.3.2.1

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.

1.20.3.2.2

If the visiting player's Association makes no appeal within 1 calendar month of being notified the penalty may be imposed.

1.20.3.2.3

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.

1.20.4

Payments to Players

1.20.4.1

Except when acting under the direct instructions of his Association as its representative, a player may accept payment, reward, benefit or allowances for playing in any competition other than Olympic Games, or for exhibition or coaching, providing that he has previously obtained permission:

1.20.4.1.1

for the payment of such expenses, from the Association in whose area the event is to take place and

1.20.4.1.2

for the receipt of such expenses, from the Association having jurisdiction over him.

1.20.4.2

Subject to any over‑riding provisions of 1.20.4.1, 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.

 

 

1.21

UNAFFILIATED PLAYERS AND ORGANISATIONS

1.21.1

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 play 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.

1.21.2

A player affiliated to an Association shall not take part in any competition, exhibition or coaching

1.21.2.1

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;

1.21.2.2

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;

1.21.2.3

organised by an unaffiliated body, unless permission for the event has been given by the Executive Committee, except as provided in 1.21.6.

1.21.3

The Association controlling the territory in which a player is resident shall be responsible for ensuring that he complies with the requirements of 1.21.2.

1.21.4

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.

1.21.5

The Executive Committee may give permission for a table tennis competition to be organised by an unaffiliated body provided that

1.21.5.1

the organising body has undertaken to comply with the appropriate ITTF regulations;

1.21.5.2

the organising body has undertaken not to include affiliated players in the event unless their Associations have given permission;

1.21.5.3

the organising body has undertaken not to include unaffiliated players in the event unless the Executive Committee has given permission;

1.21.5.4

the application to organise the event is supported by the Association, if any, controlling the territory in which the competition is to take place;

1.21.5.5

the supporting Association has accepted responsibility for ensuring that the organising body observes the requirements of 1.21.5.1-3.

1.21.6

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.

 

 

1.22

DISSOLUTION

1.22.1

The ITTF shall not be dissolved other than at a General Meeting specially convened for the purpose.

1.22.2

The balance of funds in hand at the time of dissolution shall be divided equally among the Associations not at that time in arrears (1.15.3.3).