ITTF Foundation is shortlisted for Sports Business Awards 2024
The Sports Business Awards, designed to celebrate the vital influence of business within sport, have announced the finalists for its 22 categories, recognising best practices in the sports business sector. The ITTF Foundation is proud to be shortlisted in the Sports Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award - NGBs & Rights Holders category for our World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) initiative! Dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusivity in table tennis, we are honoured to stand alongside nine other outstanding nominated organisations.
Since 2018, the ITTF Foundation has been nominated and accoladed multiple times across various categories at the Sports Business Awards. This year, our nomination highlights WTTD 2024, which celebrates the uniting power of table tennis to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds through the sport.
With a focus on Diversity and Inclusion, WTTD 2024 saw record participation, with 812 registered events held in 121 countries and territories, engaging millions of participants globally. Through collaboration with five Continental Federations and 32 WTTD Promoters, we further amplified WTTD’s vibes and reach. We also published the Diversity and Inclusion Handbook – Phase 1, providing tools for stakeholders to foster inclusive environments in table tennis. Additionally, our partnership with the Pongmasters app helps map table tennis tables using inclusive parameters, such as wheelchair accessibility and adequate lighting, ensuring safe spaces for everyone.
In our headquarters city of Leipzig, we organised a celebration including the TTBelongsToYou Teams Tournament, a mixed doubles showcase match, and a round table discussion on diversity and inclusion. The activities embraced individuals from different backgrounds, with disabilities, refugees, and participants of all gender identities and ages. The round table convened stakeholders and decision-makers from all levels of the table tennis and sports community, facilitating meaningful dialogue on advancing inclusivity in sports.
As we celebrate our nomination, we extend our congratulations to the other finalists and express our gratitude to the Sports Business Awards for recognising our work. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 29th November in London. We look forward to celebrating not just our achievements but the collective efforts of all finalists who strive to make sports more inclusive, innovative, and impactful.
Click here to see the full list of the Sport Business Awards finalists