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Asian table tennis body signs affiliation agreement

Xinhua, May 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Asian Table Tennis Union headed by Chinese Cai Zhenhua signed the affiliation agreement with the International Table Tennis Federation at the ITTF board of directors meeting on Thursday.

It means that all continental federations have signed similar accords.

Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania had all signed previously,

"With this morning's signing with the Asian Table Tennis Union at the ITTF board of director's meeting, I believe this will signal a new era of cooperation not only between the International Table Tennis Federation and the Asian Table Tennis Union but personally between Mr Cai Zhenhua and myself," said ITTF President Thomas Weikert.

Recently, the ITTF created a new structure to formally recognize the continental federations within its framework.

Greater cooperation in all areas is promoted, particularly in marketing and development for the benefit of global table tennis.

It was a landmark decision but it was not the only decision taken at the board of directors meeting.

From October 1, 2016 (after the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) coaches will have the opportunity to coach between points. Germany tested this at their league matches with positive results and proposed it to the board of directors.

Furthermore a decision regarding international eligibility was agreed. Currently players under 15 years of age changing nationalities must wait three years to represent their new country.

In a proposal by the Swiss Federation, to be in line with current people movement and migration, this was reduced to one year as long as they have not represented the previous country.

The proposal was passed unanimously in a spirit of support for youth. Endi