ITTF Suspends All International Table Tennis Events Till June 30 Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

All events and activities conducted by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) have been suspended till June 30 due to the global health crisis triggered by coronavirus.

ITTF is the latest sports global governing body to have cancelled events following into the footsteps of the likes of UEFA, International Olympic Committee, International Tennis Federation, International Cricket Council among others.

The decision was taken after the ITTF Executive Committee met on Sunday to take stock of the situation and how coronavirus pandemic has impacted international table tennis calender.

“Due to the continued uncertainty caused by COVID-19 pandemic and postponement of Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the ITTF Executive Committee reached the following decisions: Suspension of all currently planned ITTF events and activities that involve international travel until 30 June 2020,” ITTF said in a statement.

ITTF has also frozen rankings as of March 2020 and will evaluate  “all implications related to the postponement of events, travel restrictions and other complications, with scope for further decisions on potentially necessary adjustments.”

ITTF will be announcing new dates for the 2020 World Team Table Tennis Championships in the coming week.

International sporting calendar are been smashed into smithereens by the global spread of the deadly novel coronavirus which has now infected over 7,00,000 and resulted in the death of more than 31,000.

Italy has been the most severely impacted country with its death toll crossing 10,000.

ITTF has also taken a decision to reduce its expenses with its staff agreeing to take paycuts.

A follow-up meeting has been planned for April 15 to further evaluate situation.