Thank you for your interest and concern.

Adham Sharara
President

Dear Mr Sharara,
I am sure that I am not the only person that is regularly hearing all manner of rumours about future changes to both the rules and the equipment.

So far I have heard that :

The ball size is to be increased to 44mm


Bats are to be increased/decreased in playing area


The net height is to be increased


The table length is to be increased
Both sides of the bat must use the "same type of rubber"


Service to be alternated on every point


Matches will increased from 5 to either 7 or 9 sets
etc., etc !

Each rumour including different dates in which they "ARE" to be introduced !

I know from the articles that are on the ITTF web site that some (or maybe all !) of these changes are being considered, and is probably the main source for these rumours.

The fact that the last 2 seasons have seen very significant changes introduced, makes people believe these rumours are true and in many cases are causing concerns. I have recently spoken to a couple of people (each of them long term league players) that say that if these changes are introduced they will stop playing TT !

I appreciate that it is essential that changes, that will enhance our sport must be regarded as a good thing and that the threat of people leaving the sport, because they do not like change, should not deter us from introducing those changes. However, if people begin to leave the sport because of rumours, rather than the fact, then I think we have a problem.

May I respectfully suggest that the ITTF web site should be upgraded to include a section that contains the following :

All changes that have been agreed and when they are to be introduced
All changes that are being considered and at what stage of consideration they have reached and the likely introduction date if agreed
A moderated newsgroup where people can post their comments on the changes being considered

Yours sincerely,
Vince Corbin