New Gluing Rules

Dear Friends,

During the ITTF Board of Directors meeting held on 5 March 2004 in Doha , Qatar , it was decided that gluing within the event venue will not be allowed as of 1 September 2006. It was further decided that glues containing toxic materials will be banned as of 1 September 2007. 

In order to avoid any misunderstandings or any incorrect conclusions, a detailed explanation and statement will be produced by the ITTF in due time. In the meantime, an ITTF Working Group will be formed to investigate all matters concerning the use of the currently approved glues. This Working Group will be headed by ITTF Executive Vice President, George Segun, and will include the Chairman of the Equipment Committee, Odd Gustavsen as well as the Chairman of the Sport Science Committee, Jean-François Kahn. The first step will be a meeting between the three above-mentioned members of the Working Group with the President of the ITTF. At this meeting the President will provide the Group with their mandate, objectives and time-lines. The next step would be to add experts to the Group from within the ITTF and from outside the ITTF.

All speculations, assumptions and misinformation would be very poorly placed at this time. It is wise to wait until the detailed work and objectives of the group are announced in due time. The decisions taken by the ITTF Board of Directors regarding the toxic glue are wise decisions with the health of our athletes in mind. We are sure that the table tennis manufacturers will fully co-operate with the ITTF in finding solutions that will provide to our players a clean and healthy environment in which to practice our beloved sport.

Adham Sharara
ITTF President