Table Tennis
INTERNATIONAL TABLE TENNIS FEDERATION HANDS FORMER PRESIDENT FOUR-YEAR BAN
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has handed its former President Adham Sharara a four-year ban after finding him guilty of “inappropriate misconduct”.
According to the ITTF, the decision against the now Honorary President was taken with a “heavy heart”.
The Canadian has been banned from “all activity within or in connection with the ITTF”.
But he has told insidethegames that all of the allegations against him are “false” and that he will be launching a legal challenge.
Sharara added that members of the ITTF Executive Committee had already contacted him to offer support on what he described as a “very sad day for international table tennis”.
The official alleged he was being targeted by current ITTF President Thomas Weikert.
His ban follows a “comprehensive” investigation by the ITTF Executive Committee which ruled that he “breached his fiduciary duties during his terms of office”.
He has been found guilty of a conflict of interest during the process which saw the ITTF buy back its commercial and marketing contracts from TMS International – a company he set-up – as well as the “inappropriate” use of ITTF funds.
In addition, Sharara has been found to have interfered in the bidding process for a major ITTF equipment contract.
The ITTF claimed the Canadian did not appear to defend himself or present his side of the story.
“The Executive Committee reached this decision with a heavy heart after reviewing evidence reports, financial records and recommendations, including legal advice prepared by external legal counsel Withers KhattarWong and a report by professional services firm BDO,” the governing body said in a statement today.
“The Executive Committee concluded that the ITTF suffered damage as a result of Mr Sharara’s actions.
“It has therefore taken this difficult decision in order to protect the integrity of the ITTF and the sport of table tennis.
“Mr Sharara was informed of charges made against him and was presented with the relevant evidence.
“He and his legal team rejected various invitations from the Executive Committee to attend hearings to answer their questions, put forward his defence or attempt to resolve the matter in good faith.
“The ITTF Executive Committee’s decision to suspend Mr Sharara has been declared final and it considers the matter concluded.”
Sharara stepped down as ITTF President in 2014 having led the body since 1999.
He took on the newly-created role of chairman at the ITTF and later became Honorary President.
Weikert, Sharara’s deputy, took over Presidential duties from the Canadian and the German was elected to the role permanently in 2017.
The Canadian’s relationship with Weikert had broke down, however, and Sharara backed his rival for President in 2017, Belgium’s Jean-Michel Saive.
In October 2017, the ITTF announced that they had ended the deal which saw TMS International act as its IT service provider.
This reportedly came following a breakdown in their relationship as well as “problems with the service”.
It brought to an end a partnership with a company which had also enjoyed exclusive control of the world governing body’s commercial and marketing rights for 14 years until January 1, 2017.
Problems and delays with the online results service during the 2017 World Championships held in Düsseldorf had been reported and the ITTF has since taken commercial and IT arrangements in-house.
TMS was a company Sharara created in 2001 to take care of all of the ITTF’s commercial needs.
After insidethegames contacted Sharara for a response, the Canadian claimed the situation was due to his deteriorating relationship with Weikert.
He alleged that the ITTF wanted to stop the possibility of him from standing for its top job again after he became President of Table Tennis Canada (TTCAN) last year.
Sharara also alleged he had been subject to “vicious attacks” after declaring for Saive and that he had always provided responses and explanations through legal letters from his lawyer.
He claimed that at last year’s World Team Table Championships in Sweden he was told that the ITTF “wanted peace” and “would honour his legacy” but written confirmation of this never arrived.
Sharara said he was subject to allegations again when nominated for TTCAN President.
“The accusations and allegations against me are all false,” Sharara told insidethegames.
“The reality is that Mr Weikert and some others in the ITTF interpret my election as President of TTCAN as a step towards the Presidency of the ITTF.
“This is why the suspension is for four years in order not to permit me to run for President of the ITTF at the next elections.
“On 13 March 2019, I offered the possibility of a meeting in London in the first week of April 2019 or at the World Championships in Budapest also in April.
“On 14 March I received a response from Mr Weikert agreeing with a possibility of a meeting in London, but again with pre-conditions of guilt.
“I responded on 14 March stating that I would be happy to meet in London, but without any preconditions.
“Without any further notice the suspension was issued today.
“This morning I received hundreds of e-mails of support and of ‘amazement’ from the international table tennis community and even from some members of the ITTF Executive Committee.
“This is very heart-warming.
“According to the ITTF constitution, only the AGM has the right to remove the Honorary President of the ITTF.
“I am sure that this suspension will be questioned from within the ITTF membership.
“This is a very sad day for international table tennis, instead of wasting time attacking me with frivolous accusations, the current leader of the ITTF should focus on the future and build on the legacy that I have provided through my 25 years in the ITTF, including 15 years as President.
“Of course I will be taking legal action to fight this unjust and unfair suspension and I am confident that I will be successful.”
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has elected Dr. Adesoji Tayo as its new president following the conclusion of the federation’s elective congress held in Abuja on Saturday, October 4.
Dr. Tayo, who previously served as Vice President of the federation, succeeds Ishaku Tikon, whose eight-year tenure came to an end after steering the affairs of Nigerian table tennis through two terms.
Chairman of the Oyo State Table Tennis Association, Dr. Tayo emerged unopposed after his main challenger, Khamisu Ahmed from Gombe State, stepped down and was subsequently named the new Vice President.
With his election, Dr. Tayo joins the growing ranks of passionate table tennis enthusiasts who have taken leadership roles in the sport’s administration.
He is expected to bring renewed energy and direction to the NTTF over the next four years, building on the developmental strides achieved under his predecessor.
The new leadership is anticipated to focus on grassroots development, international competitiveness, and strengthening state associations to sustain Nigeria’s rich legacy in the sport.
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Following his last outing at the 2023 ITTF World Championships in Durban, South Africa, Taiwo Mati makes a return to Nigeria’s national team as the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) announces a 10-man squad for the 2025 ITTF African Championships, scheduled to take place in Tunis, Tunisia, from October 12 to 19.
The continental event serves as a qualifier for the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships in London, United Kingdom—a landmark edition marking the centenary of the World Championships, which will return to the city where it all began in 1926.
Mati, who plays professionally in Europe, earned his spot after a strong performance at the 2025 West Regional Championships, where he finished among the top four, edging out Muiz Adegoke.
He joins a formidable lineup that includes Africa’s top-ranked player, Quadri Aruna; 2019 African Games gold medalist, Olajide Omotayo; two-time West African champion, Matthew Kuti; and rising talent Abdulbasit Abdulfatai.
Despite being one of Africa’s standout performers at Durban 2023, Mati had been absent from the national team for two years.
His semifinal finish at the regional tournament in Lagos last July marked a successful comeback for the left-handed star.
The women’s team features promising young players, including Favour Ojo, Aishat Rabiu, Kabirat Ayoola, and Sukurat Aiyelabegan. Veteran Ajoke Ojomu will lead the squad as captain in Tunis.
NTTF Vice President, Adesoji Tayo, emphasized the importance of early exposure for young athletes:
“We believe that exposing these young players to top-tier competitions will help them grow stronger and more confident. Competing against Africa’s best will prepare them to face global opponents. Most elite players began early, and we want our talents to follow that path.
With guidance from experienced coaches like Segun Toriola and Dotun Omoniyi, we’re optimistic they’ll gain valuable experience and deliver strong performances,” he said.
Top-performing teams in both the men’s and women’s categories will earn qualification for London 2026, the sport’s most prestigious stage.
In the men’s division, Nigeria and Egypt lead a competitive field that includes Tunisia, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Benin Republic, DR Congo, and Morocco.
The women’s competition will feature Egypt, Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana, Ethiopia, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Madagascar, DR Congo, Cameroon, South Africa, Angola, Algeria, and host nation Tunisia.
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Africa’s table tennis powerhouses, Nigeria and Egypt, will lead the charge for qualification to the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships in London, United Kingdom, as the continent’s top teams converge in Tunis, Tunisia, for the 2025 ITTF African Championships from October 12 to 19.
London 2026 marks a historic centenary celebration, returning the World Championships to the city where it all began in 1926. The Tunis tournament serves as the official African qualification event, with the top-performing men’s and women’s teams securing their place on the sport’s grandest stage.
In the men’s division, Nigeria—West Africa’s dominant force—and Egypt—the North African powerhouse—will be joined by Tunisia, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Benin Republic, DR Congo, and Morocco.
The women’s field features Egypt, Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana, Ethiopia, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Madagascar, DR Congo, Cameroon, South Africa, Angola, Algeria, and host nation Tunisia.
With London in sight, the battle for qualification will intensify during the final three days of the continental tournament, where all eyes will be on Nigeria and Egypt as they renew their storied rivalry.
According to the ITTF, London 2026 will feature 64 teams in both the men’s and women’s events—an expansion from the previous 40-team format. This growth reflects the global rise of table tennis and opens the door for more nations to compete at the highest level.
The tournament will unfold across two iconic London venues. The Copper Box Arena will host the opening rounds from April 28 to May 1, followed by the main draw at Wembley Arena from May 2 to 10, where the world’s elite will compete for the ultimate prize.
Each gender will see 64 teams divided into 16 groups of four, with round-robin matches determining progression. A key innovation in the format is the introduction of Stage 1a and Stage 1b:
Stage 1a features the top eight teams (seven highest-ranked plus host nation) split into two groups. All eight automatically advance, with group results determining seedings.
Stage 1b includes the remaining 56 teams across 14 groups. The 14 group winners and six best second-placed teams qualify directly. The remaining eight second-placed teams enter a preliminary knockout round, with four winners completing the 32-team main draw.
From the first serve at the Copper Box to the final point at Wembley, London 2026 promises to celebrate not only the present strength of global table tennis but also the remarkable journey that began in the same city a century ago.
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