Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation to introduce own rankings, says Vivek Kohli
Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation chairman Vivek Kohli said in Mumbai on August 6, 2026 that the federation will create a Commonwealth rankings system, speaking after the conclusion of the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship in New Delhi.
The tournament, which returned after seven years, had attracted controversy before the first point was played on July 27 when the International Table Tennis Federation distanced itself from the event and denied world ranking points; questions were also raised about the Commonwealth body’s legal status even as India swept the titles and the championships concluded successfully. In an interview with The Hindu, Kohli addressed the ITTF row, the federation’s legal standing, concerns over relevance and plans for an independent Commonwealth ranking framework.
Kohli said the senior championships were harder to stage than the youth, veterans and regional events the federation continued to run during the hiatus because every country must travel and affordability is a major issue, particularly for African nations. He said the federation sought the right sponsor after Odisha’s past support, found a partner in Delhi on the condition it would deliver a world-class event with free hospitality for participating nations, and expanded initial plans from 25 to 35 before receiving entries from 32 countries with 21 nations ultimately competing; he added Nigeria skipped the event while England and Singapore fielded relatively inexperienced teams.
Responding to criticism that the Commonwealth Championship has lost relevance, Kohli replied, "No, I don’t," and stressed participation often depends on player availability. He cited Aruna Quadri’s injury and surgery, said Australia brought its strongest available players including top-40 players and that Malaysia sent its best team, and noted that selection choices are for each country to make, adding that when India defeats England the result simply reads "India beats England".
On the ITTF decision not to award world ranking points, Kohli said players naturally prefer ranking points but framed the ruling as an opportunity to act, announcing plans to create a Commonwealth ranking system. He said the current world ranking system benefits only around 40 to 50 countries able to regularly play WTT events, that many nations lack those opportunities, and that "some of Malaysia’s leading players have barely played WTT tournaments." He noted the Commonwealth comprises 74 countries and nearly 2.7 billion people, with 56 active members today, and described the federation as the second-largest table tennis organisation after the ITTF.
"We’ll use multiple parameters," Kohli said when outlining how the new rankings will work, explaining world rankings will be one component and that performances in continental and regional championships across Africa, Europe and Asia will be incorporated. He said the federation also intends to include national rankings because many talented players never get opportunities to compete internationally, described the exercise as complex but more manageable with technology and AI, and said it hopes to launch senior Commonwealth rankings within the next two to three weeks, followed by junior, sub-junior and cadet listings.
Kohli confirmed work was under way to resolve the federation’s legal issues, saying the Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation was established in 1969 and that a charitable company had been registered in England for administrative matters; he explained that following the change in office-bearers after the 2024 elections certain statutory filings were delayed because the registered office remained linked to previous directors, which resulted in the company being struck off, and that the federation had approached Companies House, obtained permission to re-submit documents and completed that process. He described the company as an administrative vehicle and said the federation itself is governed by its member associations.
Kohli said a potential move of headquarters outside England is under consideration, noting the federation already operates an office in Delhi and has discussed opening bank accounts there because maintaining operations in England has become increasingly expensive, particularly banking costs; he added the AGM discussed various possibilities and that a final decision will be taken in due course. He said he was "Very satisfied" with the response to this edition, calling it the largest-ever championship, and highlighted first-time participation from Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia, with Zimbabwe winning its first Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship match in 88 years and the result becoming national news.
Kohli concluded with a message to critics: "Love everyone. Love the sport. Criticism actually gives me strength because it pushes us to work even harder. If you’re doing the right thing, you shouldn’t be afraid. My message is simple: keep loving the sport and keep playing it." The immediate next steps he set out are the launch of senior Commonwealth rankings within the next two to three weeks and further consideration by the AGM on the federation’s administrative base and banking arrangements.