30 Oct 2017

A total of 276 Blue Badge Umpires, the highest qualification for those who occupy the best seat in the house; that is the number advised on Monday 30th October by the Umpires and Referees Committee of the International Table Tennis Federation.

The announcement follows assessments that were held earlier this year between Saturday 1st July and Saturday 30th September.

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Furthermore, there are two new names to add to the list, Leroy Condo of the United States and Japan’s Kei Konno form the latest inclusions.

Overall, China possessing 28 such qualified officials has the highest number with Germany next in line having 20 in total, one ahead of India and two ahead of Japan. Also in double figure is Russia and Korea, each has 13 Blue Badge Umpires within their ranks.

Notably, the total for Egypt is 11, the same for the United States.

Meanwhile, in continental terms, 116 is the number for Asia with Europe having 104 such qualified umpires. Africa owns 20 qualified Blue Badge Umpires, 18 is the total for North America with 12 being the complement for Latin America and five for Oceania.

ITTF Umpires and Referees Committee: Blue Badge Umpires (Monday 30th October)

Umpires and Referees Blue Badge Umpires