A special general meeting of the English Table Tennis Association (ETTA), held during their A.G.M. at Birmingham yesterday, unanimously voted to substitute the new, larger 40mm ball for the old, smaller 38mm ball with immediate effect for all competition held under the laws of the ETTA, except competitions which started before 1st July and which will end before 1st October. The ETTA is therefore introducing the 40mm ball 3 months before – is diverging from the ITTF laws of the sport for 3months – the ball will become law for international competition (from October 1st).

There has been some grass roots disquiet and disgruntlement over the introduction of the larger ball, (which as well as being easier to see, plays slightly slower and less spinney), particularly over the speed of implementation and the question of what to do with millions of old balls. However, that there was no discussion or vote against the proposal to use the larger ball in the packed S.G.M (over 100 people attended) was a surprise and indicates widespread acceptance of the inevitability of the 40mm ball, if not outright enthusiasm. It is hoped that the larger ball will make the sport more attractive to watch and easier to play, leading to longer rallies, more spectators (particularly TV audiences) and greater participation. This is probably the most radical change in the sport since racket coverings were restricted to black one side and bright red the other in 1985, to limit the effectiveness of ‘combination bat twiddling’.

Another major change is also in the offing: if trials are deemed to have been successful it is anticipated that the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) Biannual General Meeting at the Osaka (Japan) World Championships in April 2001, may vote to change the scoring system from the traditional games up to 21 points to games up to 11.

The ETTA National Training Centre at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, is hoping that probably the greatest ever woman player, former world champion and current Olympic Gold Medalist Deng Yaping, who is currently studying English at Nottingham University, will carry on to do a masters degree. Deng Yaping, who is the equivalent of a Member of Parliament in China, has been training with members of the England squad at Holme Pierrepont.

For further information contact Ken Muhr, ETTA Information Officer, Tel. 01424 722525 Fax. 0142 422103