On Friday 29th October a meeting of the ETTU Executive Board was held virtually under the leadership of President Igor Levitin.
The President and the Secretary General reported on feedback received from member Associations concerning visa application procedures for the 2021 ITTF World Championships at Houston USA next month. There were two European players with outstanding visa application interviews.
It was noted that some European National Associations such as The Russian Federation (TTFR) had incurred considerable additional expenditure having to arrange for their delegation to travel to the American embassy in different country.
It was reported that from 8th November it will be necessary to be vaccinated with a WHO recognised vaccine to gain entry into the United States a requirement that numerous ITTF member Associations are unable to meet.
Continental Federation Presidents have called upon the ITTF Executive Committee to urgently resolve this situation with the American authorities as in regards to compensation of additional expenses for obtaining visas as regarding vaccine situation to enable all qualified players and delegates to come to the World Championships.
A request from the Balkan TT Union for financial assistance was discussed and various options will be considered before the next Board meeting.
The Executive Board discussed the financial aspects of the ITTF Continental Agreement including for the 2nd half of 2021 and the use of monies received by the ITTF after Olympics in Tokyo.
It was agreed to waive the entry fee for those teams participating in European Team Championships stage 1 C groups to be played in 2022 of Associations which had entered and played in the stage 1 groups of the 2021 qualification.
It was agreed to hold a virtual meeting prior to the ITTF AGM and Board of Directors meeting to discuss all propositions and resolutions.
President Levitin thanked members for their contribution and closed the meeting.
