2025 marks the first ITTF Sustainability Forum, the event brought together key stakeholders from across the sport and around the globe. Moderated by ITTF Sustainability Committee Chair Mawuko Afadzinu, the forum convened athletes, manufacturers, event organizers, and member associations, who shared their progress, exchanged ideas, and discussed the path forward for a more sustainable future in table tennis.

Watch the full forum recording now

A central moment of the event was the presentation of the first-ever ITTF Sustainability Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to advancing sustainability within the sport. The award winners were:

• Events Sustainability Advancement Category: ITTF World Championships Finals Busan 2024
• Member Associations Initiative Category: French Table Tennis Federation’s – Ping Planète Program

The awards, selected among the ITTF Sustainability Case Studies, highlighted exemplary initiatives that set new standards for integrating sustainability into table tennis events and member associations-led programmes.

Key Discussions and Insights

The forum opened with a statement from ITTF President Petra Sörling, who reinforced the organization’s commitment to embedding sustainability at every level of the sport. Following this, Julie Duffus, Head of Sustainability at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), delivered a keynote address emphasizing the urgency of climate action and the critical role that sports organizations must play in leading by example. Quoting IOC President Thomas Bach, she reminded participants of the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020+5 motto for a more sustainable future: “Change or be changed.”

The first session, “Manufacturers Taking the Lead: Preparing Table Tennis Equipment for the Future,” featured industry leaders from Butterfly, DHS, Stiga, Nittaku, and ESN. Panelists shared their progress on making table tennis equipment more sustainable, including efforts toward eco-certified materials, renewable energy use, and product lifecycle improvements.

Next, the “Athletes Care” session highlighted the role of players in driving sustainability forward. A fireside chat between Jan Fitzgerald, member of the ITTF Sustainability Committee, and Table Tennis Planet Ambassador Martin Perry explored how athletes can integrate more sustainable practices into the way they train, compete and engage with the world around them, as well as the personal drive that fuels Perry’s commitment to sustainability.

One of the most anticipated discussions, “Responsible Events Today and Tomorrow,“ showcased efforts to make tournaments more sustainable. KTTA Secretary General Kim Taek-Su emphasized the significance of achieving the ISO 20121 certification in reducing environmental impact at major competitions. RFETM Event Director Daniel Valero shared practical measures adopted during the 2022 Andalucía World Para Table Tennis Championships, such as reducing plastic usage, relying on organic ink for printing, providing reusable glass bottles. He also shared recent efforts to introduce the use of cardboard tables in table tennis tournaments at the local level, significantly reducing logistics costs and carbon footprint.

Reatile Morapedi, Vice President of Administration for the Botswana Table Tennis Association, highlighted that the impact of table tennis events extends beyond the competition itself and shared a successful legacy project launched during the Africa Youth Championships. Similarly, Pierre Legrand and Jean-Nicolas Barelier from the French Table Tennis Federation noted how the Ping Planète program is being integrated into the federation’s activities and events.

The session concluded with a presentation from Yoan Noguier, CEO of Yunus Sports Hub, sharing insights on how social procurement can drive social impact in sports without incurring in additional costs.

The ITTF Foundation then took the stage, with TT4ALL Coordinator and IOC Young Leader, Mayssa Bsaibes presenting World Table Tennis Day as a tool for driving social change and raising awareness of sustainability through grassroots engagement.

In the final panel, “Member Associations: The Driving Force Toward a More Sustainable Sport,” representatives from ITTF Oceania, ETTU, the Hellenic and the Colombian Table Tennis Federations shared successful sustainability initiatives. Their efforts ranged from reducing plastic waste and upcycling materials to embedding sustainability into their organizations’ strategies and implementing legacy practices in their clubs and events. The discussion also explored challenges in implementing sustainability measures, such as the costs of equipment transport and the need for greater sustainability education within the sport.

A Call to Action

Throughout the forum, attendees engaged in live polls and discussions, providing valuable perspectives on the most pressing sustainability challenges facing table tennis across the world. A key takeaway was the recognition that sustainability requires collective action and collaboration at all levels—from manufacturers and event organizers to athletes and member associations.

In closing the event, ITTF President Petra Sörling reaffirmed the federation’s dedication to sustainability and emphasized the collective responsibility to drive meaningful change:

“Yes, we have a lot to do, but we have also done a lot. Today, we have listened to the International Olympic Committee, to manufacturers, to athletes, to member associations, to continental federations, event organizers, sponsors, and other stakeholders. You and me, we all play a part. Let’s play for the planet and our communities by embracing sustainability in everything that we are doing. And let’s make every action count.”

The ITTF Sustainability Forum 2025 set a strong foundation for the federation’s ongoing sustainability efforts together with key stakeholders. The discussions and commitments made during the event will serve as a catalyst for further progress, ensuring that table tennis continues to evolve as a sport that not only thrives competitively but also prioritizes environmental and social responsibility.