World Table Tennis appoints new chairman
October 6, 2022
World Table Tennis Pte. Ltd. (World Table Tennis) today announced the appointment of Liu Guoliang as Chairman of its Board.
An extremely well-respected leader within the table tennis community, current WTT Council Chair and a member of the Board, Liu Guoliang takes the position to boost World Table Tennis in its mission to transform table tennis and grow the sport worldwide.
He commented, “I am very glad to be appointed as Chair of World Table Tennis Board, which conveyed the trust and support of World Table Tennis and the ITTF. I think the new position will bring great opportunities and challenges alike.”
Liu Guoliang will use his unparalleled experience to build on the initial successes of World Table Tennis and lead the sport to new heights.
“Of course the perspectives differ from different positions, but the dream to further elevate our sport is shared. I will devote more time and energy to promoting and advancing table tennis as well as fostering global cooperation”
A legend of the sport, Liu Guoliang has won all the major titles as a player and head coach of the Chinese men’s team. In 2018, he was elected President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association. In 2021, he was elected to the ITTF Executive Committee, and was appointed Deputy President of the world governing body in October 2022.
World Table Tennis places players and fans at the core of its business, helping catapult table tennis to the forefront of the global sports industry. World Table Tennis delivers the WTT Series – the official professional Table Tennis series of events – to commercially drive the sport forward through a new and innovative approach, delivering world-class sports entertainment events and engaging fan-centric content.
The decision was taken during a Board meeting held on 5 October in Chengdu, China. Petra Sörling, ITTF President, was invited to attend the meeting. The other board members of World Table Tennis are Khalil Al Mohannadi, ITTF Executive Vice President, and Mr Steve Dainton, WTT Director and ITTF Group CEO.
“Liu Guoliang’s long history of leadership, coupled with his unique experience across all areas of our sport, makes him the ideal person to chair the Board of World Table Tennis,” said Dainton. “We know him as a famous table tennis player, as one of the most successful coaches in the history of our sport, and, today, that he accepts this very important position is also an honour for us.”
“His main work is to help us increase the table tennis industry. We have big expectations and hopes, but we can also see here in Chengdu the excellent work he has done so far. Together with Liu Guoliang, we will grow our sport and make it bigger than ever before. I am very much looking forward to collaborating with him in his new role.”