ITTF Tribunal upholds Petra Sörling‘s Election as President, Dismissing Appeal from Al-Mohannadi and QTTA
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The ITTF Tribunal Hearing Panel has definitively confirmed Petra Sörling’s election as President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), dismissing appeals filed by challenger Khalil al-Mohannadi and the Qatar table Tennis Association (QTTA). The decision, communicated on August 29, 2025, concludes a months-long dispute regarding the outcome of the May 27, 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) election.
The appeals sought to annul the AGM results and declare Al-Mohannadi the rightful President. The Tribunal’s process included extensive review of written submissions, supporting evidence – including the official LUMI report on online voting and its certified tally – and a five-hour hearing on august 28, 2025. All parties acknowledged the Tribunal’s jurisdiction and the independence of the Hearing Panel. Abdulla Al mulla, Chair of the ITTF Nominations Committee, testified as a witness.The operative decision, released following deliberation, states: “The Appeal of Mr. khalil Al-Mohannadi is dismissed.The Appeal of the Qatar Table Tennis Association is dismissed. The decision of the ITTF Annual General Meeting of 27 May 2025 electing Ms. Petra Sörling as ITTF President is confirmed.” This outcome immediately reinforces Sörling’s position as head of the global table tennis governing body, as per Article 8.35.3 of the ITTF Statutes.
Parties retain the right to appeal the Tribunal’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), though any such appeal will not suspend the current decision’s enforceability unless specifically ordered by CAS, according to Article 8.37.4 of the ITTF Statutes.
The full ITTF Tribunal decision is available for review at https://documents.ittf.sport/document/372.
