The new Master Continental Agreements have evolved to include all the entities of the ITTF, with both the ITTF Foundation and World Table Tennis being core to the support of global growth of our great sport. The primary focus of the agreement, as in previous years, is focusing the majority of the support for the Member Associations through the ITTF High Performance and Development Program. A new addition to the agreement is a greater focus around ensuring world class governance is implemented at more levels of table tennis. This follows on from the recent improvement of the ITTF’s own governance, following the ASOIF Good Governance review conducted during 2020. This grant is part of the new package, which encourages the Continental Federations to improve their governance.
The agreement is the largest ever for the continent and includes regional investment, which will play a major role to align the needs of table tennis in Africa, and falls in line with the vision, goals and objectives of the ITTF Strategic Plan.
Mr. Khaled El-Salhy the ITTF-Africa President commented: “It is a historical moment today in signing the Master Continental Agreement for Africa between ITTF & ATTF. We have had long discussions during the previous period to build up for a new agreement covering the term of 2021-2024 which satisfies all our needs and planning in Africa as a growing continent with a large number of affiliated associations in ITTF. I am so happy to start such an agreement now with all approved contributions for well professional organizations to our competitions, wider development resources and activities, highlighting remarkable support through ITTF-Foundation & WTT with full governance objectives.”
ITTF Executive Vice President, Dr Alaa Meshref, responsible for African relations stated: ‘’I am very pleased that the Africa Table Tennis Federation has signed with ITTF the new contract agreement. Despite it being a difficult period, we need to continue to support all our member associations and this agreement will help ensure that the ITTF together with our brothers from the Africa Table Tennis Federation will assist each African member. The potential of Africa is still very much untapped, it is my dream to untap this potential over the next years and show the world that Africa has a very important role to play in the world of table tennis’’
Eastern Africa Regional President Mr. Andrew Mudibo from Kenya, the ITTF Foundation Director Mr. Leandro Olvech, ITTF Member Relations Director Mr. Mounir Bessah, ITTF High Performance and Development Director Ms. Polona Cehovin, WTT Director Mr. Matt Pound, ITTF Africa President Mr Khaled El-Salhy and ITTF CEO Mr Steve Dainton were on site to commemorate the agreement.