Now let me answer your first questions:

1. Yes, it was necessary to identify a comprehensive package of changes and implement the changes on a yearly basis in order to reach the final conclusion within a 3-year period.

2. For each rule we had at least a 2-year testing period with various experiments before the rule was actually passed. Once the rule was passed, the implementation date was "at least" one year later. So in effect we had 3 years experiments for each rule.

3. The ITTF's role is to promote table tennis internationally and to try to place our sport on the TV screens. You yourself complain that we do not have table tennis on TV but when we take actions to put table tennis on TV you also complain that it affects you. Unfortunately for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction (Newton law) so ALL of us must suffer some consequences.

On one hand you say that "NOBODY CARES" about the TV revenue, but on the other hand EVERY table tennis player wants more table tennis on TV and wants our sport to be more popular. We can not have our cake and eat it too!

Regarding the decision making process at the ITTF, I must tell you that you are not well informed. The process is as follows:

- Propositions are made by National Associations or Committees of the ITTF

- usually they are sent to study by experts or committees

- in the case of the 3 rule changes, also experiments were commissioned and reports were submitted

- finally the proposition is brought back again with all the necessary explanations and supporting studies to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) where a final vote is taken.

- to change a rule 75% majority is required from all voting Associations

- the ITTF is composed of 188 National Associations

- at our AGM's we typically have about 125-130 voting Associations. ONLY Associations have a vote (represented by their President or his delegate).

As you can see this is a very democratic system. The French players opinions are represented by the French's Federation vote. I assume that inside France the Leagues were consulted on each proposition and that the French delegate to the ITTF AGM voted accordingly.

4. As you must know it is very difficult for any sport other than Football to be on French National TV. Therefore we have table tennis on TV on Pathé Sport more than 30 hours per year. And recently we were able to get table tennis on TV on EUROSPORT (Europe Champion's League, European Championships 2002) and we will have more than 8 hours of European Championships 2003, and more than 12 hours of World Championships 2003 on Eurosport. This is all the work of the ITTF. It is a pity that you do not subscribe to the Satellite TV. Unfortunately many players like yourself complain that they can not see table tennis on TV but you are also not willing to get satellite channels that show table tennis.

5. The idea of putting TT on TV is to get NEW interested people in our sport. This is a "participation" factor. Kids today watch a lot of TV and they are influenced by what they see.

Regarding the comment of the French national Coach who says that the 40 mm is no different than the 38mm, please just give him a 38mm ball and ask him to let his players try it now, then ask him his opinion again.

I thank you very much for your input and I hope you continue to play our beloved sport and that you "promote" our sport the best way you can.

Adham Sharara


President ITTF







M. Damien LACROIX


dams.lacroix@libertysurf.fr

St Martin de Crau


France




Dear M. Sharara,

Let me introduce myself, but please excuse my poor english (as so many french)

I am a player for 15 years, and I am children and adults trainer for 3 years (not so long).

So I can writte some words which will certainly exprim what do many players feel around me and in my country.

I love this sport "tennis de table" so much and i have decided since such a long time that it will take a big place in my life.

Today I must say it is so different compaired to before. Some decisions were good, some less.

What I want to say is that children and teenagers who are playing for 2 or 5 years can accept and try the new rules.
But they can't understand the reasons to do all those rules in such a short time. Neither I.
What did I answered to them ? I don't remember.

I don't want to criticize the ITTF decision but the way to take those decisions.


So I ask you questions which need answer (for the 180 000 french members already):

1/ should we change all those rules during so few years ?

2/ should we not wait for each rule until the "try period" would give perfect satisfaction ?

3/ The TV royalties seem to be very very very attractive today for certain persons, but the plaisure of a simple player, who is it ?

I mean the most players around the world are not champion and NOBODY CARES ABOUT THAT.

Why were not the rules decided or not by a big vote from all Presidents of National Federation and not so few people.


For exemple the same system of NATO, maybe many decisions will be not taking?...

I find the ITTF decision's power is to much concentrated and you ??

In France we built democratie with the pyramid power (all people then responsables then ministres)

With those decisions it seems to be the other way round, who ask players before?

Dear Sir You're going the wrong way by killig players motivation.

4/ The results would be more Ping at TV (I'm already waiting for A match) because i can't pay Satellite.

Do you find there is more, i mean, very more matchs and Public interest on TV? I don't think so.

5/ I am sure most of Ping TV watchers are and will be Ping players. So for me it will change nothing.

What are your conclusion about the first results of each rule?
For exemple the new 40 ball doesn't give the result expected (sayed from a French National Coach about the Speed of the ball)

I have finished ! thank you for reading

I hope from deep in me that you will answer because you did it with others people, and that honnors you.

Maybe will you upload my letter on your site for all the people who doesn't know exactly what is going on.

One more time thank you to answer all the questions and have a good year.
See you in may in Paris-Bercy !

M. LACROIX