WTT HQ & ITTF APAC office
A significant moment came in September when Athletes Commission co-chair Sharath Kamal Achanta visited the ITTF APAC Office in Singapore. This visit proved pivotal in shaping future policies, with Achanta contributing valuable player perspectives to future structural changes aimed at enhancing the sport’s accessibility.
Policy Achievements
The Athletes Commission’s efforts led to several important developments for 2025:
- Restructured tournament formats to enhance player participation
- Revised grouping systems in WTT Contenders and Feeder events for clearer advancement pathways
- New accreditation policies to foster broader player participation
- Updated penalty systems focusing on fairness and consistency
Enhanced Player Representation
Throughout the year, the Athletes Commission strengthened its governance role across multiple areas. A significant development was the active participation in the World Ranking Working Group through Elizabeta Samara, ensuring player perspectives influenced ranking decisions. Regular consultations addressed tournament conditions, including match arenas, training facilities and player services, while comprehensive feedback shaped decisions on tournament scheduling and workload management.
New Initiatives
The Athletes Commission championed several programmes in 2024. The innovative Sustainability Ambassadors Programme positioned athletes as environmental leaders, whilst enhanced communication channels fostered more direct dialogue between players and governing bodies. Significant advances were also made in player welfare mechanisms and development pathways for emerging athletes.
Under the guidance of co-chairs Sharath Kamal Achanta and Liu Shiwen, the ITTF Athletes Commission benefits from diverse representation including Melissa Tapper (AUS), Stefan Fergel (AUT), Omar Asssar (EGY), Daniely Rios (PUR), Elizabeta Samara (ROU), Jon Persson (SWE), and para-athletes Ingela Lundback (SWE) and Kelly Van Zon (NED).
As 2024 draws to a close, the Athletes Commission has established strong foundations for the year ahead. Through continued engagement and policy development, the Athletes Commission remains focused on its core mission: serving as the dedicated voice of table tennis athletes worldwide.