Dortmund (Germany), March 28 (IANS) The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has admitted the Caribbean island of St. Maarten and the African nation of Chad as its new members, taking the count to 217.
ITTF President Adham Sharara, at a press conference here, said the ITTF is now the second largest sports body after volleyball association FIVB, which has 221 members.
"When I was elected president, there were only 170 member nations. The first thing I wanted to do was introducing the sport at all places table tennis was unknown. I am glad our development program proved to be a success," Sharara was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
"After the volleyball association (FIVB), which has 221 members, we are the biggest association in the world," Sharara added. "That 's not an objective, but just a result of our development program."
With 145 participating nations taking part in the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Dortmund, the tournament is regarded as one of the best in the world.
"One can choose to have only the best or the best from all countries," Sharara said. "We do both. We have the best teams in the arena and besides that we have a tournament for the best from all countries. So far I kept to this philosophy."
Sharara also announced a new structure of the organisation of the ITTF, making the continental federation an official part of the ITTF. In addition, no new rules changes were adopted during the general annual meeting.
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