The Future Of Table Tennis: Petra Sörling On Governance Reform, Youth Audiences And Olympic Growth

Ahead of the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals and during a landmark year marking 100 years of the International Table Tennis Federation, iSportConnect‘s Taruka Srivstav spoke with Petra Sörling about the federation’s long-term vision for the sport, governance reforms, youth engagement, global expansion, and the evolving role of table tennis within the international sports ecosystem. In this exclusive Q&A, Sörling reflects on balancing tradition with innovation, strengthening member associations, driving sustainability and inclusion, and positioning table tennis for continued global growth both on and off the table.

As the International Table Tennis Federation marks its 100-year milestone, how do you see the organisation balancing its rich heritage with the need to evolve in a rapidly changing global sports landscape?

This is of course a very special moment for our sport. We are celebrating 100 years of the ITTF and of our World Championships. Doing so here in London, where it all began, makes it even more meaningful. You can really feel that sense of history through initiatives like our Centenary Exhibition at Wembley, which has been incredibly popular with fans during these Championships.

We are proud to have grown into one of the world’s largest International Federations, with 227 Member Associations.

But more importantly, this milestone is about shaping the future. That is why the adoption of our new Constitution at the Annual General Meeting was so important. It reflects extensive consultation across our global community and gives table tennis the modern governance framework it needs to thrive.

At the heart of our centenary is a simple idea to honour our heritage, while building boldly for the next 100 years.

What is your long-term vision for the growth of table tennis globally, both in terms of participation and its position within the international sports ecosystem?

Table tennis is already one of the most widely played sports in the world, with an estimated 300 million people participating globally. But I believe there is more we can do to realise its full potential.

One of my biggest ambitions is to see table tennis integrated into school curricula worldwide. It is a uniquely accessible sport that supports physical health, mental agility and social connection, and it can truly be played anywhere.

At the elite level, we want to continue strengthening our position as a leading Olympic sport. The programme for LA28 is a major step forward with six table tennis medal events for the first time, including the debut of the mixed team event and the return of men’s and women’s doubles as standalone events. That evolution reflects both the global appeal and the competitive depth of our sport.

How is ITTF working to ensure the sport remains relevant and engaging for younger audiences, particularly in an increasingly digital-first world?

Engaging younger audiences is one of our top priorities, and we are approaching it with creativity and ambition. A great example is our collaboration with Tom and Jerry at the ITTF World Cup in Macao, which created a universal and playful entry point for new fans.

At the same time, we are investing heavily in our digital platforms. 2025 was our strongest year ever, with more than 145 million video views and exceptional growth across social media, including a 155% increase in Instagram followers. That tells us that there is a strong appetite for our sport when it is presented in the right way.

We will continue to innovate, to tell our stories better and to connect with the next generation wherever they are.

From a governance perspective, what are the key priorities for ITTF in strengthening the sport’s global structure and ensuring sustainable development across all regions?

Good governance is the foundation for everything we want to achieve. Today, we have the youngest, most gender-balanced and most diverse Executive Board in our history, which reflects the global nature of our sport and brings fresh perspectives to decision-making.

We have also established a dedicated Member Associations Department, which is working closely with our 227 members to support their development. Our priority is to strengthen federations at every level and to create genuine pathways so that more athletes, from more countries, can succeed.

Ultimately, success for us means a more competitive, more inclusive and more globally representative table tennis.

Table tennis has traditionally been strong in Asia. How do you see the federation expanding its footprint and influence in emerging regions such as Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas?

While Asia remains a powerhouse in table tennis, we are seeing very encouraging signs of growth across the world. The competitive landscape is becoming more diverse, and that is extremely positive for the sport.

We have seen Germany become the first non-Asian team to reach the podium at the Mixed Team World Cup and Brazil’s Hugo Calderano win the Men’s World Cup last year, and just last month in Macao Hana Goda of Egypt reached a historic World Cup quarter-final. These are milestones that prove the global balance in our sport is evolving.

Through our development programmes and the work of our new Member Associations Department, we are deepening engagement in all regions. Our goal is to close the gap and ensure that excellence can emerge from anywhere in the world.

How is ITTF supporting its member associations to adapt to changing economic, technological, and environmental challenges within sport?

Supporting our Member Associations is at the core of what we do. Over the past three years, our development activities have more than doubled, now reaching over 13,000 participants across around 300 programmes worldwide.

Initiatives like the Participation Programme, which supported 76 Member Associations in 2025, and our Equipment Assistance Programme, which reached nearly 10,000 participants last year, are helping to build capacity on the ground. We are also proud of the long-term impact of the Hopes Programme, which has engaged around 1,600 young players.

Alongside this, the ITTF Foundation plays a vital role in expanding access to the sport, and our new Member Associations Department will further strengthen how we support our members in navigating a rapidly changing environment.

With increasing pressure on sports organisations to demonstrate social impact, what role do you see table tennis playing in areas such as inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability?

Table tennis has a very special role to play because of its simplicity and accessibility. At its core, all you need is a table, a racket, and a ball, and that makes it one of the most inclusive sports in the world.

Through the ITTF Foundation, we are working to maximise our social impact, using table tennis as a tool for inclusion, education and community building across different regions and contexts.

We are also committed to sustainability through initiatives like our Planet Game Plan 2030, which is helping us to reduce our environmental footprint and embed sustainable practices across the sport.

Ultimately, our vision is to make table tennis available to everyone, everywhere.

Looking ahead, what does success for ITTF look like over the next decade, both on and off the table?

Success for us means building a federation that leads with integrity, transparency and purpose – one that is trusted and respected across the global sports community.

It also means creating more opportunities at every level of the game, from grassroots participation to elite competition, and ensuring that our sport continues to grow in both reach and relevance.

If, in ten years’ time, we see more young people playing, more nations competing at the highest level, and a stronger, more united global table tennis family, then we will know we are on the right path.