ITTF President Petra Sörling visited Busan on 14 May, attending meetings with Korean officials, government and business partners, and touring both the venue and the official hotel of the upcoming ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals 2024. 

Joining in her trip is the ITTF Executive Board member, IOC member and President of Korea Table Tennis Association (KTTA), Ryu Seung-min, who also acts as the President of the Local Organising Committee (LOC).  

During her time in Busan, President Sörling expressed her satisfaction with the progress that she witnessed and was impressed with the quality of the facilities of the Busan Exhibition and Convention Centre. She said, “I am pleased to witness the remarkable progress made by the LOC and the KTTA in their preparations for next year’s ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to them for their unwavering dedication and hard work as they gear up to host this prestigious event in Busan. Our collective objective is to deliver an extraordinary and unforgettable experience for athletes, fans, and the global table tennis community. Together, we will strive to create an event that exemplifies the pinnacle of our sport while elevating it to greater heights.” 

With the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Durban 2023 taking place in less than a week, the spotlight will soon move to Busan. The two leaders formalised an agreement to reinforce cooperation to deliver an exceptional event next year. 

Ryu Seung-min emphasised the importance of the collaboration between KTTA and ITTF, saying, “I am grateful to the ITTF for their support throughout the entire process – from bidding to being awarded the rights to host the first-ever World Table Tennis Teams Championships in Busan in 2024. With less than a year to the World Championships, the members from Busan LOC are diligently planning for it and we look forward to delivering a successful event.”  

As we approach the marquee event in Busan in 2024, the organising committee is increasing public engagement. In March of this year, they introduced their delightful mascots, Loopy and Chopy, which have already captured the hearts of many. More information about ticketing will be available soon, giving fans a chance to secure their spots for this highly-anticipated event.