LONDON, May 9 (Xinhua) -- International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) President Petra Sorling said the World Team Table Tennis Championships remain a central pillar of the sport, highlighting its global expansion and competitive depth.

The remarks came as this year's event in London brings together 64 men's and 64 women's teams, with athletes from 79 member associations taking part. The ITTF has 227 member associations worldwide.

"It truly reflects the global sport," Sorling said, describing the World Team Championships as "a big event open for all."

Sorling said a busy international calendar has increased match frequency between top players and raised competitiveness.

"It's clear that our sport is very competitive, and also with a full calendar and a lot of events, the players compete and play versus each other more often," she said.

"I think it's good for our sport that we see these upsets and very exciting matches, and looking forward to more now in the last days."

Sorling said the ITTF will review the format after expanding back to 64 teams at the World Championships.

"As it was the first time now we went back with 64 teams, we have to evaluate and review this format, not the number of teams, but mainly the format of play, and come back to 2028 for Fukuoka, Japan with a good system," she said.

"For us, team event is important," Sorling said.

Though the men's and women's team events in the Olympic Games were removed and replaced by doubles, a mixed team event was added instead, "so team event is still a priority for us," she said.

"Our World Table Tennis Championships for teams will remain important."

Sorling welcomed the introduction of a doubles World Cup next year.

"I'm extremely excited because I can hear many players, many coaches are asking for more doubles related to the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles," she said.

"So we have just listened and that's why we added this event to our agenda."

Sorling said the sport's growth from nine founding members in 1926 to 227 associations today highlights its global reach.

"If we just go back and think about ourselves, if we were there in 1926 and being nine of the founding members, they could never imagine where we are today," she said. "From nine members to 227, that shows for me a very meaningful increase and a global family entering the stage."

She also pointed to rule changes and reforms.

"We changed from 21 to 11, making our game faster. We were also very early with equal prize money. Such things are important."

"I think it's also important for parents when they are choosing a sport for the next generation of boys and girls playing table tennis."

Sorling said team events serve both elite and development functions.

"I think especially the team events can be a very good development event. Even if it's an important elite competition where we crown World Championships champions, we still have so many teams competing," she said.

"The honor to be a world champion will always be something that is a priority for us and a priority for our athletes."

Sorling said the ITTF sees itself as a custodian of the sport as the World Championships reached the 100-year milestone.

"We have been reflecting a lot this year when we have this centenary," she said. "The only thing I can say is that we are custodians of our sport. We are here now."

"The most important thing is whatever we do, we do it for the better of the future of our sport."

Sorling said the ITTF has worked to increase female participation and promote equality.

"We have worked a lot during the years on how we can make our sport more attractive for female table tennis players and how we can work harder on gender equality," she said.

"So far the mixed team is our best project ever. I say project because it is not a project. It's here to stay."

"But we have to innovate and find the next mixed team World Cup that can embrace gender equality and make table tennis a sport as it should be," she said. ■