RULES 2000 - 2001

Paragraphs that have been introduced or amended for 2000-2001 are in red.

1. Constitution

1.1 NAME

1.1.1 The Federation shall be called The International Table Tennis Federation, referred to elsewhere in the Rules by its abbreviated title "ITTF".

1.2 COMPOSITION

1.2.1 The ITTF shall consist of the affiliated table tennis organisations, referred to elsewhere in the Rules as "Associations", controlling the sport in accordance with the principles of the ITTF in any territory generally regarded as constituting a national, historical or other unity.

1.2.2 Associations shall not be regarded as agents of the ITTF.

1.3 PRINCIPLES

1.3.1 The principles of the ITTF shall be general unity of action, mutual respect of Associations in their dealings with one another and the inadmissibility of discrimination against Associations or individuals on racial, political, religious or other grounds.

1.3.2 The ITTF shall observe the general and fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter and no provision of these Rules shall be deemed to conflict with or derogate from those principles.

1.3.3 The ITTF shall cooperate with the IOC, ASOIF, GAISF and other organisations which recognise it as the controlling authority for table tennis throughout the world.

1.4 OBJECTS

1.4.1 The objects of the ITTF shall be:

1.4.1.1 to uphold the principles of the ITTF and to develop the spirit of friendship and mutual assistance among Associations and players;

1.4.1.2 to regulate relations between Associations and between Associations and other organisations;

1.4.1.3 to seek continual improvement in the technical standard of table tennis and in the extent of participation in the sport throughout the world;

1.4.1.4 to foster friendly sporting competition and to eliminate unfair and unsporting practices such as the use of drugs to affect performance;

1.4.1.5 to establish and maintain the Laws of Table Tennis and the Regulations for International Competitions;

1.4.1.6 to publish the standard text, which shall be the English text, of the Rules, consisting of the Constitution, the Laws and the Regulations;

1.4.1.7 to encourage the publication of the Rules in other languages and to check the accuracy of such publications;

1.4.1.8 to promote and to supervise World and Olympic title competitions;

1.4.1.9 to employ the funds of the ITTF as may be expedient in the interests of international table tennis.

1.5 MANAGEMENT

1.5.1 The governing body of the ITTF shall be the General Meeting, consisting of the assembled representatives of Associations.

1.5.2 Each Association shall be entitled to 2 representatives at a General Meeting.

1.5.3 The shall be an Annual General Meeting, referred to elsewhere as "AGM"

1.5.4 Between AGMs the work of the ITTF shall be managed, in accordance with policy decided by the AGM, by a Council, which shall administer the finances of the ITTF and to which the AGM may delegate any of its powers.

1.5.5 The AGM may appoint ad hoc working groups to deal with matters not covered by Committees.

1.6 OFFICERS

1.6.1 The Officers of the ITTF shall be a President, a Deputy President, an Executive Vice-President (Finance), 3 other Executive Vice-Presidents and 6 Continental Vice-Presidents.

1.6.2 There shall be 1 Continental Vice-President from each of Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania and their duties shall be to initiate ITTF work consigned to them by the AGM and generally to represent the ITTF in their own Continents.

1.6.3 A vacancy in any office other than that of President which arises between AGMs shall be filled by the Council but if the President resigns or is unable to continue in office he shall be replaced by the Deputy President until the next AGM.

1.6.4 If a Presidential vacancy is filled as provided in 1.6.3, the post of Deputy President shall be filled by the Executive Vice-President having the longest continuous period of service, who shall continue to serve as an Executive Vice-President and shall not be replaced.

1.7 COUNCIL

1.7.1 The Council shall consist of the Officers and 32 Continental representatives, elected at the AGM, and members co-opted in accordance with the provisions of 1.7.7.

1.7.2 The number of elected representatives from a Continent, in addition to any of its members who are Officers, shall be proportional to the number of its member Associations not in arrears (1.16.3.3).

1.7.3 The elected representatives of a Continent, other than any of its members who are Officers, shall each be from a different Association.

1.7.4 The Council shall meet as required during the period of the AGM and once during the year in which there is no AGM, but shall otherwise conduct its business by correspondence.

1.7.5 The agenda for a Council meeting shall be sent to all its members not later than 1 calendar month before the date of the meeting.

1.7.6 At its last meeting before the AGM the Council shall review all propositions submitted for the AGM and the following Council meeting and, where appropriate, refer them for consideration by Committees, reporting such reference to the AGM.

1.7.7 At its first meeting after the AGM the Council shall co-opt as full members the Chairmen of Committees, other than the Standing Orders Committee, and the Chairman of the Athletes' Commission, if they are not elected members of the Council.

1.7.8 The Chairman at a Council meeting shall normally be the President, or, in his absence, the Deputy President; if both are absent the members present shall elect one of their number as Chairman for that meeting.

1.7.9 Every question at a Council meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast; if there is an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a casting vote.

1.7.10 Voting shall be by a show of hands, a roll-call or a ballot, as decided by the meeting on a proposition by the Chairman.

1.7.11 In the period between AGMs any vacancy arising in the membership of the Council may be filled by simple majority vote at a Council meeting, but no temporary substitute shall be permitted to attend a Council meeting or to conduct Council business in place of a member absent or indisposed.

1.7.12 The Council shall have power to appoint ad hoc working groups and consultants to itself or to any Committee; the responsibilities and rights of such working groups and consultants shall be defined at the time of appointment.

1.7.13 The Council shall appoint up to 2 of its members, other than Officers, as ex officio members of each Committee, other than the Standing Orders Committee, and of the Athletes' Commission, but no elected Council member shall be an ex officio member of more than 1 Committee or Commission.

1.7.14 The ITTF shall pay a proportion of the travel costs of Council members attending Council meetings, the proportion being decided from time to time by the Executive Board.

1.8 EXECUTIVE BOARD

1.8.1 An Executive Board, consisting of the Officers, shall meet at intervals of about 6 months when convened by the President.

1.8.2 The Executive Board shall be responsible for

1.8.2.1 initiating and reviewing proposals for the development of table tennis;

1.8.2.2 making recommendations to the AGM or the Council on the assignment of funds for special projects;

1.8.2.3 making recommendations to the AGM or the Council on distribution policies for Olympics revenue;

1.8.2.4 deciding appeals on questions of eligibility and on the allocation of dates for competitions;

1.8.2.5 reviewing membership applications and making recommendations to the Council;

1.8.2.6 any other matters referred to it by the AGM or the Council.

1.9 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1.9.1 An Executive Committee consisting of the President, Deputy President and Executive Vice-Presidents shall have power to deal with current or urgent business, reporting to the Council at its next meeting.

1.9.2 The Executive Committee shall meet during the period of the AGM and otherwise when convened by the President.

1.10 OLYMPICS COMMISSION

1.10.1 The Olympics Commission shall consist of the Officers and a representative of the country organising the next Olympic Games, but any Continental Vice-President may nominate a representative to attend a meeting in his place or to act on his behalf.

1.10.2 The Commission shall be responsible for:

1.10.2.1 the planning, control and supervision of the table tennis events in the Olympic Games;

1.10.2.2 liaison with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), National Olympic Committees and Associations on all matters concerning Olympic competitions;

1.10.2.3 enforcement of the eligibility regulations and confirmation of the eligibility of entrants for Olympic events;

1.10.2.4 drafting and submission to the AGM of proposals for a qualifying system for entry into Olympic events;

1.10.2.5 appointment of a Jury, Technical Representatives and officials for the table tennis events;

1.10.2.6 generally ensuring that the table tennis events at Olympic Games comply with the letter and the spirit of the Olympic Charter.

1.10.3 The Commission shall meet during the period of the AGM and at other times when convened by the President.

1.10.4 A member of the management staff shall attend all meetings of the Commission and shall draft its minutes and reports.

1.10.5 The Commission shall submit a written report to the AGM and, in the intervening years, to the Council.

1.11 MANAGEMENT STAFF

1.11.1 The Council shall appoint management staff on agreed terms and conditions, on the recommendation of the Executive Committee.

1.11.2 A Chief Executive shall be responsible for the direction and supervision of management staff in all offices of the ITTF.

1.11.3 The position of Chief Executive may be filled by the President or Deputy President on an honorary basis; if neither is able to fill the post the Council shall appoint a professional Chief Executive, on the recommendation of the Executive Committee.

1.11.4 Each member of the management staff shall submit an annual report for incorporation in the Chief Executive's report to the Council.

1.12 SPECIAL COMMITTEES

1.12.1 The AGM shall appoint Special Committees, referred to elsewhere in the Rules as "Committees", to study particular aspects of the work of the ITTF and to advise and assist the Council in dealing with these aspects.

1.12.2 The composition of the Standing Orders Committee shall be recommended to the AGM by the Executive Board; the composition of other Committees shall be decided at the AGM on the basis of lists recommended by the Standing Orders Committee, but amendments to these lists may be proposed at the AGM.

1.12.3 No Committee shall have more than 8 full members and 6 corresponding members, other than ex officio Council members appointed as provided in 1.7.13.

1.12.4 The Chairman of each Committee shall be appointed by the Council from among the full members elected to that Committee.

1.12.5 The Chairman of a Committee may appoint one of its members Vice-Chairman or Secretary and allocate specific duties to him.

1.12.6 Committees shall normally meet during the period of the AGM and shall otherwise conduct their business by correspondence.

1.12.7 A Committee may set up sub-committees of its members to deal with specific areas of work; any reports or recommendations of such sub-committees shall be subject to endorsement by the full Committee before publication or submission to the AGM or the Council.

1.12.8 A member of a Committee who does not, within a reasonable specified period, express in writing an opinion on a written proposal circulated by or on behalf of the Chairman of that Committee shall be considered to have agreed to any resulting recommendation submitted in the name of the Committee.

1.12.9 The Chairman of each Committee shall submit to the Council an annual report of the activities of the Committee, drawing attention to any recommendations which the Committee wishes to make; acceptance of the report shall not automatically imply acceptance of such recommendations.

1.12.10 A Committee may be authorised to act on behalf of the Council but the extent and duration of this authority shall be specified by the Council and shall be reviewed not later than at the next meeting of the Council.

1.12.11 All members of Committees shall be entitled to attend General Meetings but without vote unless representing an Association.

1.12.12 The duties of the Equipment Committee shall be:

1.12.12.1 to advise the Council on equipment and playing conditions;

1.12.12.2 to draft technical specifications and guidance documents for equipment and playing conditions;

1.12.12.3 to conduct or arrange for tests of equipment items submitted for approval and to make recommendations to the Council on acceptance;

1.12.12.4 to cooperate with the Technical Committee in advising the organisers of World and Olympic title competitions on matters concerning equipment and playing conditions.

1.12.13 The duties of the Media Committee shall be:

1.12.13.1 to advise the Council on relations with the Press and television;

1.12.13.2 to encourage the publication of journals, books and films relating to table tennis and to promote the exchange of such information;

1.12.13.3 to set up a roster of its members so that at least one of them is available in the press centre on each day of World Championships during all hours of play.

1.12.14 The duties of the Ranking Committee shall be:

1.12.14.1 to prepare and to publish regularly men's and women's ranking lists for use in seeding singles events of World and Olympic title competitions and open tournaments which include players from more than one Continent;

1.12.14.2 to prepare, from the entries received, a seeding list for the doubles events of World Championships and Olympic Games;

1.12.14.3 to advise the organisers of World and Olympic title competitions on any question of seeding or the assignment of entrants to qualifying stages of the individual events.

1.12.15 The duties of the Rules Committee shall be:

1.12.15.1 to advise the Council on any question of interpretation of rule;

1.12.15.2 in cooperation with the Technical Committee to assist the referee in any question of interpretation of rule at World Championships;

1.12.15.3 to review and, where appropriate, to improve the wording of Laws and Regulations and amendments thereto, in accordance with principles agreed by the AGM or the Council and to make consequential amendments;

1.12.15.4 to coordinate and assist the work of umpires and referees and to be responsible for the qualification and assessment of International Umpires and International Referees;

1.12.15.5 to issue directives on the interpretation and application of Laws and Regulations to International Umpires and International Referees, through their national Associations;

1.12.15.6 to set up a roster of its members so that at least one of them is available in the playing hall on each day of World Championships during all hours of play;

1.12.15.7 in cooperation with the Technical Committee to advise the Executive Committee on the appointment of Technical Representatives for competitions under the control of the ITTF.

1.12.16 The duties of the Sports Science Committee shall be:

1.12.16.1 to advise the Council on medicine, physiology and hygiene relating to table tennis;

1.12.16.2 to prepare guidance documents for players, trainers and officials on matters such as medical services, training and diet relating to table tennis;

1.12.16.3 to prepare instructions concerning doping substances and the application of anti-doping controls;

1.12.16.4 to sponsor and to review research into the scientific aspects of table tennis.

1.12.17 The duties of the Standing Orders Committee shall be:

1.12.17.1 to consider the admissibility of AGM propositions and resolutions received after the specified closing date and to recommend to the AGM their acceptance or rejection;

1.12.17.2 to consider applications to organise World Championships and to report to the AGM:

1.12.17.3 to consider nominations for appointment to Committees other than the Standing Orders Committee, and to recommend to the AGM the composition of Committees, taking account of the views of the retiring Chairmen and the Continental Vice-Presidents.

1.12.18 The duties of the Technical Committee shall be:

1.12.18.1 to advise the Council on the organisation of World Title competitions and to make recommendations of the system of play;

1.12.18.2 to provide advice and assistance to the World Championships organisers in the organisation and management of World Championships;

1.12.18.3 in cooperation with the Rules Committee to assist the referee with any question of interpretation of rule at World Championships;

1.12.18.4 to be responsible for the World Championships draw;

1.12.18.5 to approve the playing schedule prepared by World Championships organisers;

1.12.18.6 to set up a roster of its members so that at least one of them is available in the playing hall on each day of World Championships during all hours of play;

1.12.18.7 in cooperation with the Rules Committee to advise the Executive Committee on the appointment of Technical Representatives for competitions under the control of the ITTF.

1.13 ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE

1.13.1 Nominations for Officers and members of the Council, Committees and Commissions may be made only with the consent of the Association of which the nominee is a member; if the consent is revoked after the nominee has been appointed he may be removed from his post only by a 2/3 majority vote of the Council.

1.13.2 No more than 1 person from an Association shall be nominated for the same Officer post.

1.13.3 A member of an Association which is in arrears (1.16.3.3) shall not be eligible for election or co-option.

1.13.4 No person shall at the same time serve as a member of the Executive Committee and a Continental Vice-President.

1.13.5 No person shall serve at the same time as a full member of more than 1 Committee other than the Standing Orders Committee, and no more than 3 such posts shall be occupied by members of one Association.

1.13.6 An Officer shall not serve on a Committee without the specific permission of the Executive Board.

1.13.7 A person connected in any way with the manufacture, sale or endorsement of table tennis equipment or with consultation on such equipment:

1.13.7.1 shall not be eligible as a member of the Executive Committee;

1.13.7.2 may serve on a Committee or otherwise represent an Association but shall withdraw from a meeting or abstain from voting on an issue if so requested by a majority of the meeting which he is attending.

1.13.8 A paid official of the ITTF shall not serve as an Officer or a member of the Council, a Committee or a Commission.

1.13.9 The Chairman of the Standing Orders Committee shall not be eligible as chairman of a General Meeting.

1.13.10 All Officers and members of the Council, the Olympics Commission and Committees shall retire at the AGM but shall be eligible for re-election.

1.14 OTHER APPOINTMENTS

1.14.1 The AGM shall appoint a Calendar Working Group to authorise the dates of World and Continental title competitions, Open International Championships and other ITTF-promoted competitions; its decisions shall be subject to appeal to the Executive Board, whose decision shall be final.

1.14.2 The AGM shall appoint an Athletes' Commission to advise the Council on the development of table tennis, consisting of 1 representative nominated by each Continent and 2 former players nominated by the Executive Committee.

1.15 ADMINISTRATION

1.15.1 Office

1.15.1.1 The Head Office of the ITTF shall be in a place appointed by resolution of the AGM or, in emergency, of the Council.

1.15.2 Languages

1.15.2.1 The correspondence and proceedings of the ITTF shall be conducted in such languages convenient for appropriate tasks and within the resources of the ITTF as may be determined from time to time by the Council, having particular regard to Arabic, English, French, German, Russian and Spanish.

1.15.2.2 All languages of ITTF members are equally official and representatives shall be entitled to address meetings of the ITTF in their own language, subject to their provision of interpretation into one of the working languages fixed for use at that meeting.

1.15.3 Publications

1.15.3.1 The ITTF shall from time to time publish an official Handbook and other guidance documents; 10 copies of each such publication shall be supplied free to each Association.

1.15.3.2 The ITTF shall publish an official Bulletin and shall supply a copy of each issue free to each Association.

1.15.3.3 Each Association shall appoint a representative, notifying his name and address to the Secretariat, to cooperate with the latter in the supply of news.

1.15.3.4 A copy of each issue of each official journal shall be sent by the publishing Association to the Secretariat and to every other Association that supplies the publishing Association with an address for that purpose.

1.16 FINANCE

1.16.1 Accounts

1.16.1.1 The financial year of the ITTF shall end on 31st December.

1.16.1.2 The Executive Vice-President (Finance) shall prepare an annual statement of accounts, which shall be audited by professional auditors, and an annual estimate of income and expenditure for the succeeding year.

1.16.1.3 The bank accounts of the ITTF shall be held at banks appointed by resolution of the AGM or, in emergency, of the Council.

1.16.2 Trustees

1.16.2.1 The President, Deputy President and Executive Vice-Presidents shall be Trustees for the purpose of purchasing, selling, leasing or otherwise dealing with any freehold or leasehold property or other assets required by the Council for the purposes of the ITTF.

1.16.2.2 The Trustees shall be authorised to use the funds of the ITTF in the purchase of such property and assets and shall stand possessed thereof and of the proceeds of sale thereof upon trust for the ITTF in such manner as the Council may from time to time direct.

1.16.2.3 The Trustees shall comply with any laws, statutes and requirements of the countries in which such trust property may be situated which relate to the purchase, sale and management of such property and the duties of Trustees in connection therewith.

1.16.2.4 The Trustees and their estates and effects shall be fully indemnified by the ITTF against all personal risk and expense arising as a result of their appointment as Trustees.

1.16.2.5 The Trustees shall cease to act in such capacity upon ceasing to hold office as President, Deputy President or Executive Vice-Presidents and they or their survivors shall thereupon execute a Deed of Appointment of new Trustees in favour of their successors.

1.16.2.6 Any person dealing bona fide and for value with the Trustees is entitled to regard any statement of fact in the Deed of Appointment as conclusive evidence of that fact.

1.16.2.7 A Minute signed by the President and a member of the management staff shall be conclusive evidence of a decision of the Council.

1.16.3 Subscriptions

1.16.3.1 Each Association shall pay an annual subscription of £100 or the equivalent.

1.16.3.2 The first subscription shall be paid with the application for membership and subsequent subscriptions shall be due on 1st January of each year.

1.16.3.3 An Association shall be in arrears if its subscription has not been paid by 31st December of the year in which it is due.

1.17 MEMBERSHIP

1.17.1 Eligibility

1.17.1.1 Any organisation representing table tennis in a territory and observing the principles of the ITTF may be elected a member but it shall be recognised as representative only of the territory in which it controls the sport.

1.17.1.2 Where one or more Associations represent table tennis in only part of an area generally regarded as constituting a unity, an Association representing the sport in any other part of the same unity may apply for membership, provided that

1.17.1.2.1 its separateness is due to circumstances outside the sport and of the players concerned

1.17.1.2.2 the jurisdiction it claims is clearly limited, in title and constitution, to the territory in which it controls the sport;

1.17.1.2.3 it is otherwise qualified for membership.

1.17.1.3 In the consideration of such an application, the views of any Association already in membership from the same unity shall be taken into account and in no circumstances shall two Associations be recognised as exercising authority over the same territory.

1.17.1.4 An organisation located outside the territory of any Association may be granted temporary attachment to an Association for the purpose of receiving aid in development and competition; the extended territory shall be regarded as being within the member's control, but approval of the attachment shall be reviewed at each AGM and shall not be renewed indefinitely.

1.17.2 Application and Election

1.17.2.1 Applications for membership shall be made on a form approved by the Council.

1.17.2.2 All applications shall be submitted not later than 6 calendar months before the date of the General Meeting at which the application is to be considered.

1.17.2.3 The Executive Board shall review all applications on behalf of the Council and make recommendations on acceptance.

1.17.2.4 Applications for membership shall be considered by the next AGM and shall be accepted if they receive at least 2/3 of the votes cast. In the consideration of an application in respect of an area for which there is a recognised Continental Federation, the views of that Federation shall be taken into account.

1.17.2.5 In the consideration of applications for combined membership by Associations formerly in separate membership, or for separate membership by Associations which were formerly components of an Association which has divided, or for recognition of changes in the territory in which an Association controls the sport, the views of the organisations concerned and any circumstances outside their control shall be taken into account; secession in other circumstances is not to be encouraged.

1.17.2.6 The Council may, by a 2/3 majority of the votes cast, elect an applicant to "provisional membership", which shall entitle the Association to attend the next AGM, without voice or vote, and to compete meanwhile in all events except World Championships.

1.17.2.7 An Association in provisional membership may compete also in the following World Championships, subject to the assent of the Association organising these Championships, provided that no vote is cast against the election and that the application is received not later than 6 calendar months before the opening date of the Championships.

1.17.2.8 The representatives of an Association elected to membership at a General Meeting shall be entitled to attend the meeting and to vote after election.

1.17.2.9 Election and membership of an Association shall not carry any implications in respect of the political, diplomatic or national status of the area concerned, but only to its conduct of table tennis therein.

1.17.3 Suspension and Termination

1.17.3.1 An Association wishing to resign from the ITTF shall give notice in writing to the Secretariat; the resignation may take effect at any time from the receipt of such notice until the 31st December of the same year but the Association shall be liable for the subscription due for that year.

1.17.3.2 An Association which fails to pay its subscription for 3 successive years shall automatically be suspended from membership; it shall not be liable for subscriptions during the period of suspension and may be re-admitted to membership on payment of part or all of the subscriptions previously due, at the discretion of the Council.

1.17.3.3 An Association which is suspended from membership shall not be entitled to nominate or enter players for any event held under the jurisdiction of the ITTF nor to attend or be represented at a General Meeting.

1.17.3.4 An Association which seriously and persistently fails to maintain the principles or to respect the Constitution and decisions of the ITTF may be censured, fined, suspended or expelled by a General Meeting; a suspension may be cancelled only by a General Meeting or, in emergency, by a 3/4 majority of the votes cast at a Council meeting.

1.17.4 Personal Honorary Membership

1.17.4.1 An official who has given long, outstanding service to the ITTF may, on retirement, be appointed a Personal Honorary Member for his lifetime by the AGM on a recommendation by the Council.

1.17.4.2 Personal Honorary Members shall be entitled to attend World Championships, with free hospitality, and to attend General Meetings with the right to speak but not to vote.

1.18 ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS

1.18.1 Continental Federations

1.18.1.1 Associations may group themselves into Continental Federations for the purpose of promoting and regulating table tennis within a given continental area; such Federations shall be supported and encouraged by the ITTF, which shall co-operate with them in all matters, provided that the constitution, general principles, rules and policy of the Continental Federation conform to those of the ITTF.

1.18.1.2 Each Continental Federation shall provide the ITTF Secretariat with a copy its Constitution and with details of any subsequent changes not later than 3 calendar months after the meeting at which they are made.

1.18.1.3 Membership of the Continental Federation shall be open to Associations whose address in the ITTF Handbook is situated within the appropriate Continental area except where, for reasons outside the control of sport, an Association is not acceptable to its appropriate Continental Federation; in such circumstances, which shall not necessarily prevent recognition of the Continental Federation concerned, the Association failing to secure membership shall have the right to appeal to the ITTF to assist in securing membership or, failing that, attachment to another adjacent Continental Federation.

1.18.1.4 Organisations eligible for membership of the ITTF but not yet having applied for membership may, with the consent of the Council, be included in the appropriate Continental Federation for a period not exceeding 2 years but renewable by each AGM; the players of such an organisation shall enjoy the privileges of players of a member Association but only in the Continent concerned.

1.18.1.5 Parts of an Association which lie wholly within a Continental area other than that in which the address of that Association in the ITTF Handbook is situated may, with the permission of the Council and the consent of their Association, be attached to the Continental Federation in whose area they lie for the purpose of competition and the encouragement of table tennis; with the same permission and for the same purposes, Associations lying wholly outside but adjacent to the Continental area concerned may similarly be attached, with the consent of the Federation of the Continent of which they form a part.

1.18.1.6 The championship title competitions of a Continental Federation shall be open only to the players of its member and attached Associations and the ITTF shall recognise such competitions as the sole Continental title championships for that Continent.

1.18.2 Other Regional Groups

1.18.2.1 Associations may group themselves into non-Continental regional organisations for the purpose of competition provided that, where the competition is for a regional title, the event is open to all Associations in the region and that the Constitution is observed in respect of play with unaffiliated organisations or players.

1.19 GENERAL MEETINGS

1.19.1 Place and Time

1.19.1.1 A AGM shall be held at the place, and during the period, of the World Championships or, if the World Championships is not held at the due time, at such other place and date between 1 and 3 years since the last AGM as the Council may determine.

1.19.1.2 An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be convened at any time by the Council and shall be convened within 10 weeks of receipt by the Secretariat of a requisition in writing submitted by not less than 1/4 of the Associations not in arrears (1.16.3.3), representing at least 2 Continents.

1.19.2 Notice of Meeting

1.19.2.1 Notice of the meeting, giving details of the place, date and time and the business to be transacted, together with a proxy form, shall be sent by post to each Association; the person and address to which the notice is sent shall be as last notified by each Association to the Secretariat.

1.19.2.2 For a AGM the notice shall be sent not later than 2 calendar months before the date of the meeting.

1.19.2.3 For an EGM the notice shall be sent not later than 1 calendar month before the date of the meeting.

1.19.3 Notice of Business

1.19.3.1 Details in writing of business to be dealt with at a AGM must reach the Secretariat not later than 3 calendar months before the date of the meeting.

1.19.3.2 Notice of the actual closing date in each year for the receipt of business and propositions shall be sent to all Associations by the Secretariat not later than 6 calendar months before the date of the meeting.

1.19.3.3 Business and propositions, other than changes to the Constitution or the Laws, of which due notice has not been given but which, in the opinion of the Standing Orders Committee, relate to the business in hand without introducing a new principle or relate to an emergency may be admitted by a vote in favour of 2/3 of the votes cast at the AGM; a recommendation by the Standing Orders Committee to exclude such business or propositions may be challenged.

1.19.3.4 The requisition for an EGM shall specify the business for which the meeting is to be convened and no other business except the confirmation of the Minutes of the previous General Meeting shall be transacted at such a meeting.

1.19.4 Proxies

1.19.4.1 If an Association wishes to appoint a proxy to represent it at a General Meeting, notice of the appointment together with a declaration that the Agenda and the necessary instructions as indicated in the form of appointment have been given to the proxy must reach the Secretariat not later than 3 days before the date of the meeting.

1.19.4.2 No Association shall give a proxy to another Association where the territories over which both exercise authority form part of the same state unity.

1.19.4.3 No Association shall hold more than 1 proxy on behalf of other Associations, but in addition each member of the Council may hold a proxy in his own right.

1.19.5 Procedure

1.19.5.1 The agenda for a AGM shall include:

1.19.5.1.1 the appointment of a Chairman;

1.19.5.1.2 the adoption of the report of the Standing Orders Committee;

1.19.5.1.3 a roll-call of the Associations present and the verification of proxies;

1.19.5.1.4 the appointment of scrutineers;

1.19.5.1.5 the confirmation of the Minutes of the previous General Meeting;

1.19.5.1.6 the consideration of applications for membership;

1.19.5.1.7 the receipt of reports from Officers which, with the possible exception of that from the President, shall be given in writing;

1.19.5.1.8 the receipt of reports from Committees and the Olympics Commission;

1.19.5.1.9 the receipt of the audited statement of accounts for the previous 2 years;

1.19.5.1.10 the consideration of propositions and the reports of any Committees that have studied them;

1.19.5.1.11 the election of Officers, members of the Council, Committees, Commissions and Working Groups, and Auditors;

1.19.5.1.12 the consideration of arrangements for future World Championships.

1.19.5.2 No speaker shall speak more than once on a proposition except that the proposer shall have the right of reply and that the Chairman may, at his discretion, allow a speaker to speak more than once to answer a query arising from his original speech.

1.19.5.3 The Chairman shall decide how many speakers will be permitted to speak on a proposition and when the vote shall be taken, except that a motion "that the question now be put" shall be voted on immediately, without further discussion; if such a motion is carried the proposition or any amendment before the meeting shall then be voted on immediately, without further discussion, subject to the right of reply by the mover of the substantive proposition.

1.19.5.4 A question once decided may not be reverted to for re-discussion and re-vote unless the Chairman rules, as a matter of urgency, that a case has been made for supposing that the decision taken may jeopardise the whole welfare of the ITTF; a motion to challenge the Chairman's ruling that the matter is not of sufficient urgency to justify reconsideration must be taken whenever it is moved.

1.19.6 Voting

1.19.6.1 Each Association not in arrears (1.16.3.3) shall have 1 vote.

1.19.6.2 Questions shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast except that:

1.19.6.2.1 changes to the Constitution, the acceptance of belated or emergency business or propositions and the revocation of a World Championships option require a majority of 2/3 of the votes cast;

1.19.6.2.2 expulsions from membership and changes to the Laws of Table Tennis require a 3/4 majority of the votes cast;

1.19.6.2.3 dissolution of the ITTF requires a 4/5 majority of the votes cast.

1.19.6.3 If there is an equality of votes on an administrative or financial matter the Chairman shall have a casting vote; if there is an equality of votes on any other matter the motion shall fail and the meeting shall proceed with the next business.

1.19.6.4 Voting other than in elections shall be by roll-call in alphabetical order of Associations, starting with a name drawn at random, except where the Chairman is satisfied after a show of hands that such procedure is not necessary.

1.19.6.5 Each Continental Vice-President shall nominate 2 persons from his Continent, for approval by the meeting, to form a list of scrutineers.

1.19.6.6 For each vote requiring scrutineers, including elections, names shall be taken from the list in alphabetical order, omitting the representative of any Association having a particular interest in the item which is the subject of the vote.

1.19.7 Elections

1.19.7.1 Where there are more candidates for a post or posts than the number of vacancies there shall be a ballot, which shall be won by the candidate or candidates obtaining the highest numbers of votes.

1.19.7.2 In the election of Continental Vice-Presidents and of Continental representatives to the Council only Associations from the appropriate Continent shall be entitled to nominate and vote; in all other elections all Associations shall be entitled to nominate and vote.

1.19.7.3 If there is an equality of votes in the first ballot there shall be a second ballot among those equal; if there is still an equality of votes preference shall be given to the appointment of a representative of an Association which is otherwise unrepresented and, where this is not decisive, the outcome shall be determined by lot.

1.20 CHANGES TO RULES

1.20.1 Rule change propositions and resolutions may be submitted to the AGM or the Council by Associations, the Executive Committee, the Executive Board, Continental Federations, Committees and Commissions and to the AGM by the Council.

1.20.2 Rule change propositions to be considered at a AGM or a Council meeting must reach the Secretariat not later than 3 months before the date of the meeting.

1.20.3 Amendments to the Constitution and the Laws of Table Tennis shall be made only at a General Meeting; amendments to other Regulations shall be made only at a meeting of the Council held immediately after the AGM or in the year between AGMs.

1.20.4 Details of all rule change proposals shall be published in the agenda of the meeting at which they are to be considered.

1.20.5 Unless specifically decided otherwise changes shall take effect from the first day of the next playing season, which in the northern hemisphere shall be 1st September, except that

1.20.5.1 change affecting finance shall take effect from the first day of the next ITTF financial year

1.20.5.2 change affecting equipment shall take place from the first day of the playing season after the next AGM.

1.21 JURISDICTION OF ASSOCIATIONS

1.21.1 Membership and Representation

1.21.1.1 A player shall be regarded as resident in a territory if his normal or main residence or base is in that territory; residence shall not be determined by continuity or by duration.

1.21.1.2 Before accepting a player into membership an Association shall satisfy itself that he is or intends to be resident in its territory and it shall not retain him if he terminates such residence.

1.21.1.3 Unless notified of any suspension or expulsion, Associations shall be entitled to regard any player or organisation resident in the territory of an Association and known to have been affiliated to it as eligible for participation.

1.21.1.4 No Association shall make a resident in a territory controlled by another Association or, except after a genuine change of residence, a member of another Association, a member or representative of itself without the prior permission of the other Association, except as provided in 1.21.1.5.

1.21.1.5 An Association may nominate as its representative at a General Meeting a resident of the territory in which the meeting takes place, provided that he has never been a member of another Association; such a nominee may be admitted as a representative by majority vote at the General Meeting for which he is nominated.

1.21.1.6 Any dispute under these regulations shall be referred to the Council.

1.21.2 Extent of Jurisdiction

1.21.2.1 In administering and interpreting its own regulations and decisions an Association shall exercise jurisdiction over:

1.21.2.1.1 players resident in its territory, while they are in that territory or in any other territory;

1.21.2.1.2 visiting players, while they are in its territory, except as provided in 1.21.3.1;

1.21.2.1.3 players representing it in a competition who are normally resident in the territory of another Association, but only while they are taking part in that competition;

1.21.2.1.4 a resident of a territory in which a General Meeting takes place who is acting as its representative at the General Meeting, as provided in 1.21.1.5.

1.21.3 Visiting Players

1.21.3.1 If a visiting player is officially representing his Association as a result of an invitation by the visited Association, the visited Association shall acquire no rights of penalty.

1.21.3.1.1 The responsible management committee shall have jurisdiction over the conduct of the competition but no subsequent penalty shall be imposed on a visiting player for any offence committed in connection with that competition.

1.21.3.1.2 The visited Association may protest to the visiting player's Association about such an offence, but his own Association shall retain sole jurisdiction over him and the right to impose a penalty.

1.21.3.2 If a visiting player participates in table tennis activities other than as an official representative of his Association, whether or not his visit is the result of an invitation by the visited Association, he shall be subject also to the jurisdiction of the visited Association, which shall have the right to impose a penalty for any offence committed in connection with such activities.

1.21.3.2.1 No such penalty shall come into operation until at least 1 calendar month after its notification with an account of all the circumstances, to the visiting player's Association.

1.21.3.2.2 If the visiting player's Association makes no appeal within 1 calendar month of being notified the penalty may be imposed.

1.21.3.2.3 If an appeal is submitted within 1 calendar month the matter shall be referred to the Council and the penalty shall not come into operation before the appeal has been decided.

1.21.4 Payments to Players

1.21.4.1 Except when acting under the direct instructions of his Association as its representative, a player may accept payment, reward, benefit or allowances for playing in any competition other than World Championships or Olympic Games, or for exhibition or coaching, providing that he has previously obtained permission:

1.21.4.1.1 for the payment of such expenses, from the Association in whose area the event is to take place and

1.21.4.1.2 for the receipt of such expenses, from the Association having jurisdiction over him.

1.21.4.2 Subject to any overriding provisions of 1.21.4.1, each Association shall have absolute discretion to determine and regulate its own policy for payments, rewards, benefits and allowances in respect of players and events under its jurisdiction.

1.22 UNAFFILIATED PLAYERS AND ORGANISATIONS

1.22.1 The object is to control, but not to prevent, play between affiliated and unaffiliated players; only teams and players nominated by Associations shall participate in World and Continental Championships, but otherwise such play will, when not contrary to the principles of the ITTF or to the interests of its members, generally be permitted provided due application is made.

1.22.2 A player affiliated to an Association shall not take part in any competition, exhibition or coaching

1.22.2.1 in the territory of another Association, unless the body under whose auspices the activity takes place is affiliated to and in good standing with the Association of the visited territory, except with the prior permission of that Association;

1.22.2.2 in a territory not having an Association or whose governing organisation is not affiliated to the ITTF, except with the permission of the Executive Committee, unless the Council has previously given permission for the governing organisation to be included temporarily in the appropriate Continental Federation pending an application for membership;

1.22.2.3 organised by an unaffiliated body, unless permission for the event has been given by the Executive Committee, except as provided in 1.22.6.

1.22.3 The Association controlling the territory in which a player is resident shall be responsible for ensuring that he complies with the requirements of 1.22.2.

1.22.4 A player resident in a territory which has no governing organisation or whose governing organisation is not affiliated to the ITTF shall not take part in any competition, exhibition or coaching in the territory of an Association, except with the permission of the Executive Committee, unless the Council has previously given permission for the governing organisation to be included temporarily in the appropriate Continental Federation pending an application for membership.

1.22.5 The Executive Committee may give permission for a table tennis competition to be organised by an unaffiliated body provided that

1.22.5.1 the organising body has undertaken to comply with the appropriate ITTF regulations;

1.22.5.2 the organising body has undertaken not to include affiliated players in the event unless their Associations have given permission;

1.22.5.3 the organising body has undertaken not to include unaffiliated players in the event unless the Executive Committee has given permission;

1.22.5.4 the application to organise the event is supported by the Association, if any, controlling the territory in which the competition is to take place;

1.22.5.5 the supporting Association has accepted responsibility for ensuring that the organising body observes the requirements of 1.22.5.1-3.

1.22.6 Where an Association is prepared to accept responsibility for the conduct of an event organised in its territory by an unaffiliated organisation no special permission is required, but the Association shall notify the Secretariat, which will advise all other Associations that the event is in order.

1.23 DISSOLUTION

1.23.1 The ITTF shall not be dissolved other than at a General Meeting specially convened for the purpose.

1.23.2 The balance of funds in hand at the time of dissolution shall be divided equally among the Associations not at that time in arrears (1.6.3.3).