International Table Tennis Federation 2016 ITTF WORLD TOUR
1.1 GENERAL TERMS The parties agree that the following terms and conditions will apply for the 2015 ITTF World Tour events: 1.1.1 The ITTF identifies the following tiers on the 2016 World Tour: 1.1.1.1 Super Series with a minimum prize money of US$ 120,000 1.1.1.2 Major Series with a minimum prize money of US$ 70,000 1.1.1.3 Challenge Series with a minimum prize money of US$ 35,000 1.1.2 The ITTF World Tour will include the following events: 1.1.2.1 Men s and Women s Singles mandatory in all Series 1.1.2.2 Men s and Women s Doubles mandatory in all Series 1.1.2.3 Under 21 Men s Singles and U21 Women s Singles events (born in 1995 or later) optional in the Super Series, mandatory in the Major Series and Challenge Series 1.1.2.4 In case U-21 event is organized at Super Series, only Main Draw is played on the first 2 competition days, without qualification. The top 31 (+1 Host) entered players are accepted according to the World Ranking position (and with limitation of maximum 6 players per association). 1.1.2.5 In Super Series only Main Draw is played in the Doubles events without qualification. The top 15 (+1 Host) entered pairs are accepted according to the Doubles ranking (and with limitation of maximum 2 Doubles or 4 players per association). 1.1.2.6 Major Series organizers can choose to play qualification in Singles and U21 events with knock-out system instead or round robin group system in order to accept more entries. 1.1.2.7 Men s and Women s Singles are played best of 7 games in all stages of the competition. 1.1.2.8 Doubles are played best of 5 games in all stages of the competition. 1.1.2.9 Under 21 events are played best of 5 games in all stages of the competition. TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EVENT 1.2. INVITATIONS The information regarding the event is presented in the Prospectus. This document is prepared in advance by the ITTF with the specific information related to each event like dates, location, prize money, accommodation fee for accompanying people, deadlines for entries, etc. The Prospectus should be completed and approved by the ITTF Director of Competitions. Once it is completed, please send it to him. Once approved, the Prospectus is posted online in the World Tour section with all the forms to be completed by the national associations. The forms are prepared by the ITTF with a common file for all the events. 1.3. ENTRIES, REPLACEMENTS, PAYMENTS 1.3.1. Final entries: The deadline for the final entries for singles, doubles AND U21 is automatically set 30 days before the starting date of the event in the Prospectus. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED Page 2
1.3.2. The deadline for fixing the final entries for doubles is automatically set 10 days after the deadline for the singles in the Prospectus. Both associations shall confirm entry of doubles partners when different associations are involved. After the deadline doubles combinations may not be created and all players indicated, as Partner wanted will be removed from the Doubles entry list. Only the Competition Manager may complete re-allocation of new doubles pairs, involving players from different associations after the deadline. Also only if the cancellation or replacement of one of the players is advised no later than 12:00 noon local time, two (2) days before the start of the tournament; thus if the tournament commences on Wednesday, the deadline is 12.00 noon on the previous Monday; if the tournament starts on Thursday the deadline is 12.00 noon on the previous Tuesday. 1.3.2.1 No additional doubles pairs may be added after the entry deadline but an association may amend the pairing no later than 12:00 noon local time, two (2) days before the start of the tournament; thus if the tournament commences on Wednesday, the deadline is 12.00 noon on the previous Monday; if the tournament starts on Thursday the deadline is 12.00 noon on the previous Tuesday.. The ITTF Ranking Consultant will make the seeding in both doubles competition. In Super Series no changes are accepted after the deadline of entries. In case of cancellations the next highest ranked pair at the deadline of entries will be qualified to play. For each event in the Super Series a maximum number of entries is accepted according to the chart below: Number of days for Number of tables Maximum entries qualifications 2 days 8 tables 180 2 days 10 tables 210 2 days 12 tables 240 2 days 14 tables 270 2 days 16 tables 300 Number of days for Number of tables Maximum entries qualifications 3 days 8 tables 230 3 days 10 tables 260 3 days 12 tables 290 3 days 14 tables 320 3 days 16 tables 350 It is mandatory to have a minimum of 2 days of qualification (5-day event). But the OC can decide to have 3 qualification days in Super Series events. For each event in the Major Series and Challenge Series, a maximum number of entries is accepted according to the chart below: Number of tables Maximum entries 8 tables 200 10 tables 240 12 tables 280 14 tables 320 16 tables 360 Page 3
1.3.3 The deadline for entry cancellations is automatically set 2 days before the start of the qualifications groups at 12:00 local time. After this deadline, the penalty for no-show policy will be applied. 1.3.4 There will be a charge of 150 EUR or US$ 160 cancellation fee for each player cancelled after the entry deadline (120 EUR or US$ 130 in the Challenge Series). This period starts as soon as the final entries are closed, one month before the event. 1.3.5 The deadline for room cancellations is set 7 days before the competition starts. 1.3.6 In addition to the charge mentioned in point No.5 there will be a charge of one-night costs (official hospitality package, Option No.2, single room rate) for each person cancelled after the room cancellation deadline. 1.3.7 These cancellation amounts will be added to the associations invoice to be paid together with the hospitality costs to the organizers either by bank transfer or by cash on site. It is the responsibility of the organizers to inform the Competition Manager on site before the end of the World Tour event about outstanding cancellation fees payments. If the information is not received, the ITTF will not consider late requests from the organizers. 1.3.8 Associations with pending payments of cancellation fee will not be allowed to enter any World Tour events as long as the payment is not fulfilled. 1.3.9 In each case cancellations have to be sent both to the Competition Manager and to the organizers. 1.3.10 An association can replace a player by another player after the deadline of entries but not later than two (2) days before the start of the qualification groups until 12:00 local time. The only restriction is that associations cannot replace a non-seeded player by a player who should be seeded. 1.3.11 The ITTF Competition Manager will do final adjustments into the time schedule based on the number of entries received. 1.3.12 If an association wants to make the payment via bank transfer, organisers have to receive the money on their bank account by the deadline indicated in the Prospectus point 15 Deadlines. If the amount is not transferred by this date, the organizers can ask for cash payment on site in order the participating delegation will receive their accreditations. 1.4. DRAW The draw for the seeded players is done one (1) day prior to the start of the Qualification Stage of the Championships and not later than 4:00 pm. The Draw has to be conducted by the Referee assisted by the ITTF Competition Manager. In the Qualification groups, players from the same association will not be placed in the same group. However, in the main draw stage there will NOT be separation by association, the players will be drawn according to the World Ranking. 1.4.1 Seeding 1.4.1.1 In the case the Host Association does not have any players among the seeded or direct Page 4
entry players, the organizers are entitled to have two positions in singles and one position in the doubles to guarantee the Host Association participants in a main draw of 64 players and one position in singles and one position in the doubles in a main draw of 32 players. No seeded positions will be given to the organizers in the U21 events if they don t have any by the ranking. 1.4.1.2 Number of seeded players depends on the number of entries at the deadline of entries in each event as follows: In Singles: < or = 80 entries: 16 seeds > 80 entries: 32 seeds (except the Super Series: there will be a Main Draw of 32 players with 16 seeded players regardless the number of entries) In U21: < 16: no seeds between 16 AND 20: 4 seeds between 21 AND 40: 8 seeds > 40: 16 seeds; > 80: 32 seeds (except in Super Series, there will be a Main Draw of 32 players without qualification; see point 1.2.2.4 and the seeding according to their World Ranking position at the time of the entry deadline) In Doubles: 8 seeds (except for Super Series, there will be a Main Draw of 16 doubles without qualification; see point 1.2.2.5 and the seeding according to their Doubles ranking at the time of the doubles entry deadline) 1.4.1.3 In case of a tie in seeding positions in singles/doubles, the higher ranked player/pair on the previous World Ranking/Doubles ranking will take the higher seeding position. 1.4.1.4 Depending the number of entries (in Challenge Series only) the Competition Manager of the event will determine the number of seeded players and the final playing system. 1.4.2 Qualification stage in singles 1.4.2.1 All entries will be placed in descending order according to the latest available ITTF World Ranking at the date of the entries deadline (1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th, etc.). 1.4.2.2 In the Major and Challenge Series players will be divided into Round-Robin groups of three (3) or four (4) players per group according to the number of entries. The final decision to be taken by the ITTF Competition Manager. 1.4.2.3 In the Super Series qualification in all singles events (Men s and Women s Singles, U21 Men s Singles and U21 Women s Singles) will be played in a knock-out system to determine the qualifiers. 1.4.2.4 Players will be drawn into the groups using the snake system for placing players (highest ranked player in the first group, next highest ranked player in the second group, etc.). The draw for the Qualification groups is done two days before the start of the qualification groups just after 12:00 noon local time. 1.4.2.5 Players from the same association CANNOT be drawn into the same group; they should be placed into the next available group. Page 5
1.4.2.6 Players from the same association CANNOT meet in the first round of the qualification with knock-out system. 1.4.2.7 Players without a World Ranking will be drawn by lot into the free places in the groups. 1.4.2.8 The highest finishers in each group who have not qualified for the main draw (in case of group qualification) and players eliminated in the last round of the qualification (in case of knockout system) may be drawn into the competition as Lucky Losers to fill any empty spots in the first round of the main event. The final decision to be taken by the ITTF Competition Manager. 1.4.2.9 Preliminary rounds after the qualification groups (Major and Challenge Series) may be used to avoid high number of lucky losers if the time schedule allows. The final decision to be taken by the ITTF Competition Manager. 1.4.3 Main draw stage in singles 1.4.3.1 There is always a main draw of 64 or 32 players depending on the number of entries. In the Super Series the Main Draw has 32 players regardless the number of entries. In Super Series the Main draw in U21 is always 32 players. 1.4.3.2 The seeded players will be seeded according to the latest available ITTF World Ranking at the date of the entries deadline. 1.4.3.3 The draw will be conducted according to the ITTF rules for that purpose but WITHOUT separation per association (except the first round of the main draw, see 1.4.3.5). The draw will be made according to the World Ranking of the date of the entry deadline for that particular World Tour event. 1.4.3.4 In case more than one player qualifies for the main draw, the winners of the groups will be always drawn against the lowest seeded players and the runner-up and other qualifiers against the highest seeded players as far as possible. 1.4.3.5 When qualifiers are drawn into the main draw, players from the same association CANNOT meet in the first round. In that case, they will be re-drawn. 1.4.3.6 In case of 2 seeded players (in case of main draw of 32) and 4 seeded players (in case of main draw of 64) cancel his/their participation after the draw is made, they will be replaced by the winner of the first preliminary group and the following groups by lot. In case of cancellation of a seeded player when the qualifications are played in knock out system, the highest ranked player who qualifies will take the position of the cancelled seeded player. The same procedure will apply in case more than one seeded player cancelled. In case a higher number of seeded players cancel its participation, the Competition Manager and the Referee can decide to re-draw the seeded players. 1.4.3.7 The seeded players will not receive bye in the first round when it is possible to complete the main draw with lucky losers coming from the qualifications. Lucky losers are always drawn against the highest seeded players. 1.4.3.8 If a pair withdraws or cancels participation in the doubles event, it will be not replaced by any other one. Page 6
1.4.4 Doubles Draw 1.4.4.1 Qualification Rounds - Knock out system of play will be used. - Eight (8) pairs will be seeded for the qualification rounds according to the ITTF Seeding List produced by the ITTF Ranking Official for that purpose at the moment of closing date for double entries. Doubles from the same association CANNOT meet in the first round of the qualification with knock-out system. 1.4.4.2 Main draw stage - Knock out system of play will be used. - Eight (8) pairs will be seeded for the main event according to the ITTF Seeding List produced by the ITTF Ranking Official for that purpose at the moment of the closing date for doubles entries. - The draw will be conducted WITHOUT separation by association. - A qualifying pair will not meet another pair from the same association in the first round proper. - In Super Series the Main draw in Doubles is always 16 Doubles. - A mixed pair composed of players from different associations can be seeded by the request of the host association. 1.4.4.3 Replacement of seeded doubles - Seeding is not considered in case there is a change in the composition of a seeded pair regardless of the ranking position of the newly formed pair. 1.5. SPORTS CLOTHING OBLIGATION 1.5.1. Players or pairs who finish among the top two (2) positions have an obligation to attend the prize ceremony in sport clothing including sports shoes. Players or pairs who do not fulfil this obligation will lose the prize money. 1.5.2. Players must have their names printed on the back of their shirts starting from the main draw matches in Super Series and Major Series. Players or pairs who do not fulfill this obligation will be disqualified. There is no warning or sanction imposed for clothing failure as of January 2016. In Challenge Series the printed name on the back of the shirts is recommended. In doubles events players from the same association can wear shirts from different brand on condition that the basic color of the shirt has to be the same. 1.5.3. However and only if an organizer has secured a sponsor for this purpose, back numbers can be used from the beginning of the event till the TV production starts. As soon as the TV production starts, back numbers are NO longer allowed. 1.6. ACCREDITATION AND PARTICIPATION FEES 1.6.1 For 2016, the Accreditation Fee is fixed to US$ 160 (150 EUR) per participant in the Super Series and in the Major Series. 1.6.2 The Accreditation Fee is fixed to US$ 130 (120 EUR) in the Challenge Series. 1.6.3 The Accreditation fee must be waived for those participants that choose to take the full board package (Option 2 and 3). The accreditation fee must be paid for those participants that choose to NOT take any package (Option 1). Page 7
There is no obligation for your Association to provide free hospitality to any of your event's participants. However, your association directly to the National Association or player(s) of your choice to enhance your event could offer special privileges or hospitality. 1.6.4. A participation fee of US$ 16 (15 EUR) is fixed for each player in the Super Series and in the Major Series to be paid to the ITTF, but collected by the organiser before or upon accreditation. 1.6.5 A participation fee of US$ 13 (12 EUR) is fixed for each player in the Challenge Series to be paid to the ITTF, but collected by the organiser before or upon accreditation. Contact names and numbers Mrs. Judit Farago ITTF CEO Tel. 36 1 325 8898 jfarago@ittfmail.com Mr. Didier Leroy ITTF Competition Manager Tel. 32 477 68 15 91 dleroy@ittfmail.com Mr. Matt Pound ITTF Promotion and Media Manager Tel. 65 64 738022 Fax: 65 64 738033 mpound@ittfmail.com Mr. Ian Marshall ITTF Publications Editor Phone: +44-1743-718739 Fax:+44-1743-719120 E-mail: imarshall@ittfmail.com Mr. Karl Jindrak ITTF Competition Director /Competition Manager Tel. 43 699 124 17193 Fax : 43 1 925 3190 kjindrak@ittfmail.com Mr. Mohamed Dawlatly ITTF Competition Manager and IT Consultant Tel. 20 11 11 11 72 75 mdawlatly@ittfmail.com Mr. Steve Dainton ITTF Marketing Director Tel. 65 64 738022 Fax: 65 64 738033 sdainton@ittfmail.com Mr. Anders Thunstrom TMS Managing Director Tel. +46-72-212 9668 at@tmsinmail.com Ms Kimberly Koh TMS Business Development Manager Tel. 65 64 738022 Fax: 65 64 738033 kk@tmsinmail.com Page 8