26 May 2025 – During a visit to Qatar, IOC President Thomas Bach honoured the achievements of the global table tennis community and Qatar’s commitment to youth sport and education.
Last week, IOC President Thomas Bach was in Doha, Qatar, where he attended the 2025 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Table Tennis Championships held at Lusail Sports Arena – a landmark venue that reflects Qatar’s emergence as a leading host of global sporting events. On Sunday afternoon, he attended the finals and presented the ITTF’s Geist Trophy to women’s singles world champion Sun Yingsha of China, who successfully defended her crown in a gripping seven-game classic against compatriot Wang Manyu.
Earlier in the day, during the ITTF Summit held alongside the finals, Bach presented the IOC President’s “Unity Trophy” to the ITTF, in recognition of its contributions and recent innovations within the Olympic Movement. In his keynote address, which received a standing ovation, Bach praised the ITTF’s commitment to reform, technological advancement and global inclusivity, noting the sport’s impressive success at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and its growing digital engagement.
We were and are really impressed with how the table tennis family embraced, addressed and drove change. You did it on the field of play with reforms to your competition format, with the presentation of your athletes, by embracing innovative technology – and you did it off the field as well. All these initiatives gave us great confidence in the future of table tennis. Thomas BachI – IOC President
He also highlighted the addition of a sixth medal event for table tennis in the Olympic programme – a strong signal of the IOC’s confidence in the sport’s continued evolution. Bach reaffirmed the IOC’s full support and encouraged the table tennis community to continue its leadership in advancing the Olympic values worldwide.
In a special recognition ceremony during the ITTF Summit, President Bach was awarded the inaugural ITTF Badge of Honour by ITTF President Petra Sörling and Deputy President Liu Guoliang. The distinction acknowledged his enduring support for table tennis and transformative impact on the sport throughout his presidency.
“It is with immense pride and gratitude that we honour a visionary leader whose extraordinary commitment has profoundly elevated the Olympic Movement and the sport of table tennis worldwide – IOC President Thomas Bach,” said Sörling. “Your visionary leadership and steadfast dedication have created a lasting legacy for table tennis.”
President Sörling also commended his leadership in advancing gender equality and innovation within the Olympic Movement, particularly through the introduction of mixed doubles at Tokyo 2020 and the upcoming mixed team event at Los Angeles 2028. The ITTF recognised Bach as a visionary leader whose legacy of inclusion, sustainability and digital advancement has significantly shaped the sport’s global development.
During his visit, President Bach met numerous athletes from countries competing at the World Championships, acknowledging their dedication and achievements on the global stage. He also engaged with representatives from several National Olympic Committees and other key Olympic Movement stakeholders, including delegations from China, France, India, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Nigeria and Algeria.
On Saturday evening, Bach attended the final of the 2025 HH The Amir Football Cup at Khalifa International Stadium, where Al Gharafa claimed a 2–1 victory over Al Rayyan. The match was also attended by IOC Member HH The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
On this occasion, the two leaders discussed the State of Qatar’s overall policy in sport — from youth education and grassroots development to the organisation of numerous world championships and multisport events. A key topic of their conversation was the current tense global geopolitical situation and its impact on the world of sport.
Earlier in the week, President Bach visited the 18th edition of Qatar’s Schools Olympic Programme (SOP), held at the state-of-the-art Aspire Dome – a premier multisport venue that welcomed over 6,000 students and their families in a celebration of the unifying power of sport. The event was attended by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; HE Lolwah Al Khater, Minister of Education and Higher Education; and Mr Željko Tanasković, President of the International School Sport Federation.
This national initiative has become a cornerstone of Qatar’s vision to integrate sport into education and to promote the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect among the country’s youth. During the finale, President Bach awarded medals in volleyball, joining in with the celebrations of young athletes whose achievements reflect the growing strength of school sport in Qatar.
