OOAK Table Tennis Forum :: ITTF President, Adham Sharara, answers questions PART1

I think the issue Adham is that Toni Hold is an inverted rubber that technically has not sponge, which in the definitions in the T4 leaflet makes it illegal. However, it is approved on list 29, probably because it comes with a fabric base which could be considered a sponge in some sense of the word (but its still not cellular rubber). I would think adding sponge to it would still be legal so long as it doesn't breach the 4mm limit would that be correct? Or would the fact that the fabric has been considered a sponge to approve the rubber mean it would be considered 2 layers of sponge, which is illegal?

Mr Shahara (SP)

In what direction would you like TT to take in the US?

And what do you personally play with.

Thank you adham for clarifying the rules and situation here. One last question from me. A sheet called dampfungsfolie is available from toni hold. Do you know if it is legal to add this to a racket (is it a glue sheet?) for ITTF competitions.
Thanks for your time

It was also good to hear the reasons for the doubles changes in tournaments.

Reb: I figure i'll copy and paste the discussion to show anyone who asks.
I was going to say I could always remove the TH sponge and put another one on! It looks like its fine as is and can in fact only be used that way.
Although I thought you could buy sponges seperately, it would look like you can't use them from my interpretation of this discussion. This would also be suggest Dampfungsfolie is no good unless its counted as a glue sheet.

adham wrote:

RebornTTEvnglist wrote:

You cannot alter or add anythi ng to it after it has been approved if you wish to use it in ITTF events on in an association that adopts ITTF rules.

Adham

Sorry if I'm a little slow and don't understand this, but the ITTF authorisation covers only the topsheet, right? So adding a sponge must still be legal, right?

Now the question is, is it legal to use the Toni Hold anti spin (smooth rubber) with out a sponge or not? The rules state that only pips are allowed in OX, but according to Toni Hold, the new anti from them is also allowed in OX, something I seriously doubt.

I would also like to hear your view on the serve rule suggestion from me regarding doubles play.

I've read all about the USATT's woes. I really wish they'd put Ken Blackwell in charge, he seems to have a good idea how to promote the sport in the US.

Thanks for the answer and I'm glad to see that you agree with me regarding the double advantage for left handers. Another question here, you say that there hasn't been proposal's from the National associations, can't you (ITTF board) raise the question your self?

I do hope your mother gets well and even if I appreciate your time and effort here (and elsewhere) this is a time were your focus really should be on your family. My best wishes for you and your mother.

rmaxwellusn wrote:

Mr Shahara (SP)

In what direction would you like TT to take in the US?

My dream has always been to have TT in the USA as a top sport. However, I have made many attempts to fully cooperate with the USATT in setting up the Pro Tour, have a joint development initiative, etc., but over the past few years there were too many internal struggles within the USA that prevented these initiatives to see the light. The USATT is in restructure mode now under the auspices of the USAC and I am in touch with the authorities and waiting foir the opportune moment to get the ITTF fully involved in a specific development plan with the USATT for the beneift of table tennis in the USA and in the world.

Adham

Author:	RebornTTEvnglist [ 23 Nov 2008, 01:08 ]
Post subject:
Hi anti, yes we did. So what's your take on it now? Legal without adding sponge? If so to add sponge would be illegal as the fabric must be considered sponge.

Author:	adham [ 23 Nov 2008, 01:21 ]
Post subject:
RebornTTEvnglist wrote: I think the issue Adham is that Toni Hold is an inverted rubber that technically has not sponge, which in the definitions in the T4 leaflet makes it illegal. However, it is approved on list 29, probably because it comes with a fabric base which could be considered a sponge in some sense of the word (but its still not cellular rubber). I would think adding sponge to it would still be legal so long as it doesn't breach the 4mm limit would that be correct? Or would the fact that the fabric has been considered a sponge to approve the rubber mean it would be considered 2 layers of sponge, which is illegal? You cannot alter or add anythi ng to it after it has been approved if you wish to use it in ITTF events on in an association that adopts ITTF rules. Adham

Author:	rmaxwellusn [ 23 Nov 2008, 01:26 ]
Post subject:
Mr Shahara (SP) In what direction would you like TT to take in the US?

Author:	rmaxwellusn [ 23 Nov 2008, 01:29 ]
Post subject:
And what do you personally play with.

Author:	adham [ 23 Nov 2008, 01:34 ]
Post subject:
rmaxwellusn wrote: Mr Shahara (SP) In what direction would you like TT to take in the US? My dream has always been to have TT in the USA as a top sport. However, I have made many attempts to fully cooperate with the USATT in setting up the Pro Tour, have a joint development initiative, etc., but over the past few years there were too many internal struggles within the USA that prevented these initiatives to see the light. The USATT is in restructure mode now under the auspices of the USAC and I am in touch with the authorities and waiting foir the opportune moment to get the ITTF fully involved in a specific development plan with the USATT for the beneift of table tennis in the USA and in the world. Adham

OOAK Table Tennis Forum https://ooakforum.com/

ITTF President, Adham Sharara, answers questions PART1 https://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=4772	Page 5 of 31

Author:	adham [ 23 Nov 2008, 01:38 ]
Post subject:
rmaxwellusn wrote: And what do you personally play with. When I used to play competitively many years ago I used at various times the folowing in chronological order: - Stiga Alser blade with Yasaka Cobra on both sides - Stiga Alser blade with Yasaka Cobra on one side and YAsaka regular pimples on back-hand. - Stiga 2000 blade with Mark V on both sides - Buttefly blade (do not remember the name, sahpe was same as Stoga 2000) with Sriver 2mm on both sides. Now I use any type or rubber and I still have the Butterfly Blade (no clue what it is called) for coaching. So depending who I'm coaching and what they need, I will choose the approriate racket for the occasion (motor-ball, blocking, chopping, etc.)

Author:	antipip [ 23 Nov 2008, 01:40 ]
Post subject:
Thank you adham for clarifying the rules and situation here. One last question from me. A sheet called dampfungsfolie is available from toni hold. Do you know if it is legal to add this to a racket (is it a glue sheet?) for ITTF competitions. Thanks for your time It was also good to hear the reasons for the doubles changes in tournaments. Reb: I figure i'll copy and paste the discussion to show anyone who asks. I was going to say I could always remove the TH sponge and put another one on! It looks like its fine as is and can in fact only be used that way. Although I thought you could buy sponges seperately, it would look like you can't use them from my interpretation of this discussion. This would also be suggest Dampfungsfolie is no good unless its counted as a glue sheet.

Author:	adham [ 23 Nov 2008, 01:43 ]
Post subject:
antipip wrote: Thank you adham for clarifying the rules and situation here. One last question from me. A sheet called dampfungsfolie is available from toni hold. Do you know if it is legal to add this to a racket (is it a glue sheet?) for ITTF competitions. Thanks for your time It was also good to hear the reasons for the doubles changes in tournaments. Reb: I figure i'll copy and paste the discussion to show anyone who asks. I was going to say I could always remove the TH sponge and put another one on! It looks like its fine as is and can in fact only be used that way. Although I thought you could buy sponges seperately, it would look like you can't use them from my interpretation of this discussion. This would also be suggest Dampfungsfolie is no good unless its counted as a glue sheet. I really have no idea about "dampfungsfolie", I suggest you send your question to: [email protected] and you should get the correct answer. As for buying sponge separately, also ask this question at the same time, it's best to get the correct answer from the experts.

Author:	rmaxwellusn [ 23 Nov 2008, 01:48 ]
Post subject:
I've read all about the USATT's woes. I really wish they'd put Ken Blackwell in charge, he seems to have a good idea how to promote the sport in the US.

Author:	adham [ 23 Nov 2008, 01:54 ]
Post subject:
speedplay wrote: adham wrote: RebornTTEvnglist wrote: I think the issue Adham is that Toni Hold is an inverted rubber that technically has not sponge, which in the definitions in the T4 leaflet makes it illegal. However, it is approved on list 29, probably because it comes with a fabric base which could be considered a sponge in some sense of the word (but its still not cellular rubber). I would think adding sponge to it would still be legal so long as it doesn't breach the 4mm limit would that be correct? Or would the fact that the fabric has been considered a sponge to approve the rubber mean it would be considered 2 layers of sponge, which is illegal? You cannot alter or add anythi ng to it after it has been approved if you wish to use it in ITTF events on in an association that adopts ITTF rules. Adham Sorry if I'm a little slow and don't understand this, but the ITTF authorisation covers only the topsheet, right? So adding a sponge must still be legal, right? Now the question is, is it legal to use the Toni Hold anti spin (smooth rubber) with out a sponge or not? The rules state that only pips are allowed in OX, but according to Toni Hold, the new anti from them is also allowed in OX, something I seriously doubt. I would also like to hear your view on the serve rule suggestion from me regarding doubles play. ITTF authorization means that the ITTTF gives permission to the manufacturer to place the ITTF logo on the rubber so that an umpire could clearly see it at an ITTF event. However, the sponge, although has special ITTF specifications for manufacturing, cannot have an authorization from the ITTF because even if it did no one would able to see the ITTF logo once it is affixed to the racket and rubber, which would make the authorization useless. It does not mean that anu type of sponge could be used, there are specification. But you question is too technical for me, so please send it to [email protected] and I will ensure you get an answer. I would normally do that my=self and get you the answer but I am very short on time (my mother in hospital in critical condition, preparing 3 ITTF meetings for early December in Madrid, preparing for the World Junior Championships in Madrid in December, and preparing for the pro Tour Grand Final in Macao in mid-December, etc.). Regarding doubles your suggestion has a lot of merit and would make things more fair. Currently you are right left handed players have a great advantage in receiving service. This is why you will find a lot of good doubles combinations with one left-handed player. However, there seems to be no appetite in the ITTF (national associations) to change the current rule- we never received any proposals about this rule. If it were up to me I would prefer to have free service in doubles like in singels (from anywhere to anywhere on the table). This would be much simpler and fairer, but as I said there seems to be no concern by the members on this matter.

Author:	adham [ 23 Nov 2008, 01:58 ]
Post subject:
rmaxwellusn wrote: I've read all about the USATT's woes. I really wish they'd put Ken Blackwell in charge, he seems to have a good idea how to promote the sport in the US. You mean "Robert" Blackwell. Yes, he is an excellent businessman, but the only problem is that he would be in a position of conflict of interest because he has a Table Tennis equipment company called Killerspin. The USOC would probably not allow it, unless he would put his company in a blind trust.

Author:	rmaxwellusn [ 23 Nov 2008, 01:59 ]
Post subject:
Sorry, I'm in the military, and don't really do first names. Ken Blackwell used to be a wrestler. Thats what happens when your on watch too long.

Author:	adham [ 23 Nov 2008, 02:08 ]
Post subject:
speedplay wrote: Thanks for the answer and I'm glad to see that you agree with me regarding the double advantage for left handers. Another question here, you say that there hasn't been proposal's from the National associations, can't you (ITTF board) raise the question your self? I do hope your mother gets well and even if I appreciate your time and effort here (and elsewhere) this is a time were your focus really should be on your family. My best wishes for you and your mother. Yes, of course, the ITTF Executive Committee could raise this question of doubles. At the moment it is not a priority. Usually for these types of changes we would first consult with the ITTF Athletes Commission (currently Chaired by Zoran Primorac), they would consult the players and coaches to see if there is interest, then we would conduct several experimental events and get evaluations of these ec=events and then we would propose a change to the rules. This is at minimum a 2-year process. In any case, I will raise this matter with my colleagues at the next EC meeting to see if any of them wish us to take this route. Thanks for your kind wishes. Yes, I need to go now, but this was a good small break to take my mind off things and reduce stress.

Author:	mynamenotbob [ 23 Nov 2008, 06:27 ]
Post subject:
adham wrote: rmaxwellusn wrote: Mr Shahara (SP) In what direction would you like TT to take in the US? My dream has always been to have TT in the USA as a top sport. However, I have made many attempts to fully cooperate with the USATT in setting up the Pro Tour, have a joint development initiative, etc., but over the past few years there were too many internal struggles within the USA that prevented these initiatives to see the light. The USATT is in restructure mode now under the auspices of the USAC and I am in touch with the authorities and waiting foir the opportune moment to get the ITTF fully involved in a specific development plan with the USATT for the beneift of table tennis in the USA and in the world. Adham What do you think needs to be done to improve the sport in the USA? What is our neighbor Canada doing so much better?

Page 5 of 31	All times are UTC + 9:30 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/

Author:	RebornTTEvnglist [ 23 Nov 2008, 14:41 ]
Post subject:
NB perhaps its more the fact that Canada doesn't have certain things like USA does, and that Canada is colder and so has more indoor sports? Canada isn't into Baseball, Basketball, Gridiron are they? So there isn't such huge dollars for youngsters to be enticed by following them in Canada. I don't live there, but its just an outsiders view looking in.