OOAK Table Tennis Forum

As some of you would know already, in May 2017 there will be an election for ITTF president, and so far the 2 candidates are Jean-michel Saive and current (un-elected) president Thomas Weikert.
If you had a vote (unfortunately individuals don't, only National Associations do), who would you vote for and why?

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Why would someone choose one candidate over the other, besides the fact that saive is a respected TT player?

Because the other candidate is Sharara's puppet?

Saive with no element of doubt as he is a great TT player and a true ambassador for the sport

Uh, who is shahara?

Apologies for spelling mistake. Adnan Sharara. As in long term ITTF president who appointed Weikert to replace him so that he could become Chairman. Accused of long term corruption by the ETTU President Stefano Bosi (and doubtless others). In the eyes of many all that is wrong about the ITTF.

bump... any more votes?

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I've been in contact with Jean-michel, and he's happy to do in interview, to give us the opportunity to ask some questions.

So post you questions here, and don't forget to vote (above).

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I'd ask what he thinks his chances are of overthrowing the current administration, and if he manages to do so what his first steps would be to make the ITTF become a well respected organisation for TT players the world over to have faith in.

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What does he think of all the recent tinkering with rules?

Are there any recent (or not so recent) rules that he thinks should go back to what they were originally?

What steps would he like to see taken to standardize the different plastic balls to a single standard, and also improve their quality control and longevity?

Does he think there are problems with the current service rule? If so, how can they be fixed?

Does he think there are problems with the current situation with boosting rubber? If so, how can they be fixed?

Does he think that the current domination of the top level of the sport by the Chinese should be countered in some way by the ITTF?

It would be good to ask these questions of both contenders.

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What he thinks of TTX, this "new form" of table tennis? Should ITTF put the effort in promoting it?
We see him play TTX in this video:

Excellent questions, thanks guys! I'm trying to keep the number of questions to a minimum, as I know he's a very busy man, so I'm after some key questions that we really want to ask him, and some of the ones posted are excellent.

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Recent Articles: Tenergy Alternatives | Tenergy Rubbers Compared | Re-Impact User Guide | Novel way to glue OX pips

I've summarised the following questions, hope everyone is ok with this. If there are further question, I can also always ask him later, but I felt I needed to give him something now, so I've focussed on issue I see as most important, and avoided any political questions.

1. The ITTF has been strongly critized for bringing in the new plastic balls, which are much more expensive, less durable and inferior performance. This has had a huge impact not only at the elite level but also at club level. What steps would he like to see taken to standardize the different plastic balls to a single standard, and also improve their quality control and longevity?

2. The ITTF has also been strongly criticized for having a decision process that seemed to involve neither amateurs nor pros, especially regarding rules and equipment changes. What is your opinion on this and, if anything, what do you think could be done? Are there any recent (or not so recent) rules that you would like go back to what they were originally?

3. Boosting/tuning of rubbers has been another controversial issue. As you may remember, first the ITTF recommended it as safe alternative to the banned speed-glue, then they made it illegal stating that it has always been against the rules. Boosters have continued to evolve, making them safer than most household products, and they're virtually undetectable as the VOC levels are lower than brand-new rubbers. Arguably many (most?) elite players use it, and believe it's OK as long as it's undetectable. Can you see any way the ITTF can ever resolve this issue that's still dividing the TT community?

4. What do you think of TTX, this "new form" of table tennis? Should ITTF put the effort in promoting it, or is the money/effort better spent elsewhere?

5. Are there any other plans or things you'd like to see, if you win the position of ITTF president?

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Setup1: Re-Impact Smart, Viper OX, Victas VS 401 Setup2: Re-Impact Barath, Dtecs OX, TSP Triple Spin Chop 1.0mm Setup3: Re-Impact Dark Knight, Hellfire OX, 999 Turbo
Recent Articles: Tenergy Alternatives | Tenergy Rubbers Compared | Re-Impact User Guide | Novel way to glue OX pips

TTX

Does the equipment need ITTF approval?
Are there patents involved?
Why promote a dumbed down version of table tennis instead of spending the time and money promoting table tennis?
How much $$$ did it cost so far to promote TTX?
Who makes the new equipment? I cant find any.
Will the ITTF be sending free TTX equipment to small countries?
Why did they not show any rallies in the videos? (boring?)

Above questions need answers.

Who do you consider the ITTF represents and why should we care?

Why are you running for President?

How would electing you benefit a) social table tennis players and b) national association affiliated member players?

What are you views on the dominance of China in table tennis?

Do you accept that the ITTF has got much smarter and more proactive in embracing social media to promote table tennis? How would you improve it further.

As someone who is linked by sponsorship to table tennis manufacturers and many concerns revolve around equipment, boosting and authorised equipment why should we believe that you are truely independent and not a back door way for manufacturers to gain more control of ITTF affairs?

In your expereince as someone still involved in the sport of table tennis, is it common for professional table tennis players to tune or boost their equipment? And if it's not, how do you propose to disprove the perception that "pro" players do use illegally boosted or tuned equipment.

As a professional player did you use "off the shelf" table tennis equipment or did your sponsors provide you with the "best of the best"?

Why are you standing now?

You say on your Facebook page that you hope to build on the experience you have gleaned as chair of the European Olympic Committees Athletes' Commission - what did you actually deliver in that role to benefit table tennis?

Why do you care what a forum like this thinks?

If you had your own table tennis business what would you call it and what name with your give to two types of table tennis rubbers you made and why would you choose those names?

If we feel you are the best candidate what can we do to help you in your attempt to become the next ITTF president?

Thank you.

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