QTTA president appeals to ITTF Tribunal, takes case to Court of Arbitration for Sport
DOHA: In a significant development following the recent elections of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) held here last month, QTTA president Khalil bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi, one of the candidates for the federation’s presidency, has formally announced legal action challenging the legitimacy of the electoral process.
In an official statement, Al Mohannadi cited “grave violations” that he says undermine the principles of transparency, democracy, and integrity in global sport governance.
Background
The ITTF General Assembly, held on May 27, 2025, at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha, was marked by an atmosphere of unease.
Concerns over electoral tampering surfaced early, with discrepancies observed between announced and actual voting methods, last-minute federation registrations, and questionable vote counts. These incidents triggered widespread debate among attending delegates and raised serious questions about the credibility of the electoral process.
Al Mohannadi’s challenge is expected to reverberate across the international sports community, potentially prompting calls for a comprehensive overhaul of election protocols and renewed focus on transparency, fairness, and resistance to political influence within international federations.
Acknowledgment and Principles
Opening his statement, Al Mohannadi expressed deep gratitude to the national federations that supported his candidacy and voiced their concerns over the irregularities. He described this backing as “a shared commitment to building the future of table tennis on firm legal and institutional foundations.”
Legal Steps: Arbitration and CAS Involvement
Al Mohannadi confirmed that he has filed an official appeal with the ITTF Tribunal and lodged a case with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). These legal actions follow a formal complaint to the ITTF Nominations Committee and, according to him, fall strictly within the framework of the federation’s constitution and electoral regulations.
Alleged Electoral Violations
The statement outlined a series of alleged electoral breaches, including:
- Unauthorized Electronic Voting: Despite an announcement that voting would be conducted exclusively via paper ballots, electronic votes were accepted—an act described as a “clear breach of the official directive.”
- Late Registration of Federations: New member federations were reportedly registered on election day itself, beyond the approved cut-off date.
- Invalid Votes Counted: Votes were counted from federations that were either not officially registered or had not responded to the official roll call.
- Exclusion of the Nominations Committee: The body legally mandated to oversee the election process was allegedly sidelined, raising concerns over procedural integrity.
Call to Suspend Electronic Voting
Al Mohannadi strongly urged the ITTF to freeze all use of electronic voting in future elections, calling for robust technical and legal mechanisms to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of every vote. He referred to a precedent from the 2017 ITTF elections in Düsseldorf, where proxy voting was annulled due to misuse, suggesting that the current situation warrants similar corrective measures.
A Matter of Integrity
Closing his statement, Al Mohannadi emphasized that his challenge goes beyond personal or political ambition. “This is not merely about the outcome of an election,” he stated. “It is about safeguarding the future of our sport and the credibility of our international institutions. We will pursue this legal path to its end to uphold justice and preserve the game’s integrity.”
