With less than six months to go for the 2023 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals, Durban welcomed officials from International Table Tennis Federation on Thursday 12 January. The ITTF officials comprised of ITTF President, Petra Sörling, ITTF Executive Vice Presidents, Khalil Al-Mohannadi and Wahid Oshodi, and ITTF Group Chief Executive Officer, Steve Dainton.

“2023 is here and all eyes are already on Durban. It is fantastic that Africa will host the World Table Tennis Championship Finals. This visit will give us a taste of what to expect from this city and the local organizers. We really look forward to returning in May for the world’s largest table tennis event.” – Petra Sörling, ITTF President

During this visit, the ITTF party met with representatives of the South African Table Tennis Board and the organising committee to receive a thorough briefing on the preparation for the World Championships. In addition to the various meetings, the officials also inspected the venue and discussed other key matters that will be crucial to staging a successful event.

Durban is also kick starting the 2023 season of WTT Series, hosting the WTT Contender from 10 January until 15 January.

“Through this visit, we are looking forward to seeing the venue. We also get to catch a glimpse of the WTT Contender and get an assessment on South Africa’s readiness. We are closely collaborating with the organising committee, and we are confident that South Africa will deliver a memorable event come May.” –  Khalil Al-Mohannadi, ITTF Executive Vice President

This is the first time that the ITTF’s most prominent event is being held in South Africa and the first time on the African continent since Cairo, Egypt, in 1939.

“For the African continent, this is a momentous occasion. It is historic to host this prestigious event after 84 years, and more significantly, it promotes table tennis across the continent while showcasing a stunning region of the continent to the world.” – Wahid Oshodi, ITTF Executive Vice President

The 2023 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals will be held in Durban, South Africa, from May 20 to May 28, 2023. This Championships will be held at the Durban International Convention Centre and will feature men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles events. Over the course of eight days, 128 players in Singles and 64 pairs in each of the three doubles events will compete in a straight knockout format to be crowned world champions.

The ITTF and World Table Tennis are joining forces to ensure the successful delivery of the event. A World Table Tennis staff delegation will be present following these meetings to continue the work and provide as much support to the host to ensure a successful event awaits the world.

The World Table Tennis Championships, which have been held since 1926, are the largest and most prestigious table tennis event of the year, with historical significance and widespread interest from players, fans, media, and partners worldwide. It is a global festival that promotes all aspects of the sport and its host.