ITTFs

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is the international governing body for the sport of table tennis. The singular acronym ITTF is standard, and while the term ITTFs is occasionally used in informal writing, it is not commonly used to refer to the organization; if encountered, it may denote multiple national member associations or the federation’s affiliates rather than a separate entity.

Founded in 1926, the ITTF oversees global governance of the sport, including rules, officiating standards, equipment regulations, and the organization of major international competitions. The federation has grown to include national associations from continents around the world and works to promote development, participation, and fair play. Table tennis has been an Olympic sport since 1988, a milestone facilitated in part by the ITTF’s coordination with national bodies and international organizers.

Governance and functions of the ITTF include setting the official rules of table tennis, approving equipment specifications (rubber, blade, net, ball), and establishing the sport’s anti-doping policies. It also grants event status to international competitions and oversees ranking systems for players. The ITTF collaborates with regional and continental associations to support development programs, coaching education, and grassroots participation.

In recent years, the ITTF established the World Table Tennis (WTT) as a commercial arm to run the professional circuit and promotional activities, while the ITTF continues to hold the international governing authority and oversee the sport’s rules and governance. The relationship between ITTF and WTT reflects a model separating governance from professional play to promote global growth.

See also: World Table Tennis, Olympic table tennis, para table tennis.