The ITTF and Sport Singapore are discussing the world’s first home of table tennis

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and Sport Singapore (SportSG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to begin discussions on the world’s first “Home of Table Tennis” (HoTT). The signing ceremony was held on the final night of the Singapore Smash 2023 and demonstrates the commitment of both parties to raise the regional profile of table tennis and reinforce the strong partnership between SportSG and the ITTF.

To expand its global footprint, the ITTF plans to establish several new hubs around the world, and Singapore has been identified as a possible location for the first such hub. The main reasons for this are:

• Singapore’s commitment to table tennis by hosting several marquee WTT events such as the Singapore Smash and our TeamSG athletes representing Singapore on the international stage at major games such as the SEA Games and Commonwealth Games.
• The country’s strong reputation as a host of world-class sports, with marquee events such as the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon and the HSBC Singapore Rugby 7s, regularly feature in the calendar.
• A strong selection of world-class infrastructure such as the Singapore Sports Hub and strong travel connections.
• Singapore’s strategic location as a well-connected hub for organizations with an international footprint, evidenced by the regional headquarters of international companies.
• Consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work, with a diverse culture, excellent healthcare and world-class education systems that help attract and retain top talent.

Sport Singapore and the International Table Tennis Federation have partnered to achieve our shared goal of raising the profile of table tennis in Singapore. With our cooperation, we organized the WTT Cup finals in December 2021 and Singapore Smash in March 2022 and March 2023. Therefore, it is very fitting that on the last day of Singapore Smash 2023, we take our partnership to a new level with the Singapore HoTT project. With this, SportSG will work with the ITTF to chart new paths and create more opportunities to benefit our local athletes, coaches, industry partners and other members of our table tennis fraternity, said Alan Goh, SportSG CEO (designate).

ITTF President Petra Srling commented on the partnership: This project is a significant milestone for table tennis and a clear sign of our commitment to the continued growth and development of the sport worldwide. As we strive to bring table tennis to new corners of the world and inspire the next generation of players and fans, Singapore serves as a great example of what is possible. By partnering with SportSG to consider establishing a center in Singapore, we are laying the groundwork for a more innovative, inclusive and sustainable future for our sport. We are excited to continue working closely with SportSG to realize this vision and create more opportunities for table tennis players and fans worldwide.

Steve Dainton, CEO of the ITTF Group, added: We are thrilled to partner with Sport Singapore on this project, at a place I have called home for the past 12 years. This initiative is certainly a step forward in our efforts to grow and develop table tennis in Singapore and around the world as we hope to inspire the next generation of table tennis players and fans. Since the opening of the ITTF Asia Pacific office in Singapore in 2011, we have seen table tennis grow by leaps and bounds in Singapore. We look forward to having more centers like this around the world.”

Table tennis concept homes

The ITTF is launching an exciting project to establish several new HoTTs and is currently looking for potential host cities to seize the opportunity to host one of the most exciting sports. The project launched in 2019 was on temporary hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, the ITTF has reactivated the project after reviewing the concept fully in the light of the lessons of the pandemic and decided to look for not one Home, but several centers, each with specialized expertise.

The ITTF is committed to working closely with each city to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership that promotes sustainable development. The ITTF prioritizes a targeted approach throughout the selection process and seeks to connect with cities that have expressed interest in the initial project and demonstrated a strong commitment to table tennis. In addition, all interested cities are welcome to enter into a non-binding dialogue with the ITTF to explore the possibilities.

The ITTF considers each application carefully and selects the most suitable host city for each headquarters based on a number of factors such as infrastructure, accessibility and local support for the sport of table tennis. Once selected, the ITTF engages in targeted dialogue with each city to ensure that the centers are tailored to local needs and priorities.

Hosting one of the new centers offers cities a unique opportunity to harness the power of sport to promote economic growth, social progress and international cooperation. By attracting large numbers of visitors, athletes and officials from around the world, strengthening local economies and creating new opportunities for business and investment, each city gains access to a global network of stakeholders and builds lasting connections that will benefit their communities for years to come.

Check out HoTT in Singapore

Envisioned as an international center of excellence, the HoTT in Singapore would focus its efforts on raising the profile of table tennis in the Singaporean community. Singapore’s HoTT would create opportunities for athletes and coaches to strengthen their capabilities through ITTF’s world-class knowledge and networks. In addition, with Singapore’s technological capability and talent, HoTT can be a testing ground for innovative creations and digital table tennis solutions and contribute to the upliftment of table tennis worldwide. HoTT could also participate in programs and initiatives to increase community participation and viewership in table tennis. Discussions with the ITTF regarding the establishment of the Singapore HoTT cover potential areas of cooperation which include:

1. Path development
Discussions about Singapore’s HoTT will include possible plans to establish its own ITTF academy to develop coaches and officials and better position them in the global ecosystem. In addition, the Academy is also a channel where locals can train and exchange information alongside the world’s best players.
Singapore Table Tennis Association President Poh Li San said: The Table Tennis Center of Excellence in Singapore is exciting news for the fraternity. We expect HoTT to strengthen table tennis and our overall sports ecosystem in Singapore. Our athletes and coaches will have new opportunities to learn from the best. The availability of quality training and facilities will not only enhance existing pathway development plans, but also help inspire a new generation of table tennis athletes.

2. Industrial development
With Singapore HoTT, it is possible to raise the profile of table tennis in the sports industry through marquee events such as the Singapore Smash and other community activations. In addition to a diverse calendar of table tennis events, the Singapore HoTT would play an important role in strengthening Singapore as a hub for knowledge transfer and showcasing thought leadership in sports, education, innovation and technology. This could also further develop an ecosystem that promotes the sustainable growth of table tennis and the continuous development of skills.

3. Community engagement and involvement
In addition to developing high performance sport and industry, it is also crucial to grow the table tennis player base within the community. Singapore HoTT potentially creates opportunities for community projects that encourage people of all abilities to come together through table tennis. Other ways to promote inclusion include leveraging the ITTF Foundation and relevant ITTF Group entities in projects related to accessibility, diplomacy, health, solidarity, sustainability and other social and humanitarian causes.

4. Innovations and technology
The Singapore HoTT project will also explore ways to leverage technological development and innovation to promote table tennis as a sport accessible to all, including the young, the elderly and people of all abilities. Furthermore, as a regional hub for the latest technology in the market, Singapore could also serve as a resource center and sandbox for innovative solutions in table tennis, including game formats, training formats, event implementations, fan experience, eSports, sports science, equipment, clothing and materials.