In March 1972, representatives of the TTA's of China, DPR Korea and Japan met specifically to take an initiative in calling a Preparatory Meeting in Beijing in order to meet in May of the same year as well as to affix their signatures for the invitation letters.
Accordingly, the Preparatory Meeting was held in Beijing in May 4th - 7th, 1972 and was attended by 16 representatives of Associations namely. Cambodia, China, DPR Korea, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria and Vietnam. In compliance with the strong desire of the delegates, the Preparatory Meeting was actually turned into the Inaugural Meeting, which resulted in the formation of the Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) on May 7th, 1972. The meeting adopted the communiqué and the constitution and with it, elected a leading body for the Union. Subsequently the First Asian Championship and the 1st ATTU Congress were held in Beijing in September 1972, it signified the beginning of ATTU in the Table Tennis World.
Since then, the biennial championship and the congresses have been held successfully from 1972, beginning in Beijing (1972), Yokohama (1974), Pyongyang (1976). Kuala Lumpur (1978). Calcutta (1980). Jakarta (1982), Islamabad (1984), Shenzhen (1986). Niigata (1988), Kuala Lumpur (1990), New Delhi (1992), Tianjin (1994), Singapore (1996), Osaka (1998) , Qatar (2000), Bangkok (2003),_________ (2005) and China (2007)
ATTU was officially recognized by International Table Tennis Federation as a continental body for Asia at its 33rd Congress in Calcutta. 1975. The ATTU Secretariat is located in Beijing where the Hony. Secretary General resides. Since its inception in 1972, ATTU has played an important role of unifying its members and has strengthened its position in ITTF by actively providing able leadership and farsighted programs. The First Hony. secretary General, the late Mr. Song Zhong had been instrumental in making ATTU a very strong Table Tennis organization while the leading organization of the ATTU had also made ATTU a well respected continental organization. From the 16-founding members, it has grown to have 41 members including two associate members from Oceania.
About the Championships
41 Countries are registered with the ATTU which is an important affiliated body of the ITTF. The most competitive Table Tennis Nations of the World like China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taipwan etc are in the continent and therefore the event is participated by top players of the World like the Olympic champion, World Champion & Asian Champion and hence the competition to share the honours will be at its best which is expected to witness highest standard of Table Tennis during the championships.
- The 7 days event will host events like Men & Women Team Championships, Men & Women Singles, Men & Women Doubles & Mixed Doubles Event.
- The last championship was held in China during 2007.
- India successfully hosted this event twice i.e. in 1980 at Kolkata & in 1992 at New Delhi. This will be the third occasion when India will be hosting the event.
- We are expecting 32 team entries among Men & 24 among Women. Total number of Men players of 160 along with 120 Women participants are expected along with 64 officials.
- About 380 participants in all, are expected for the championship.
- The BGM of ATTU will also be held participated by 41 countries during the period.
- The team event will be conducted for 3½ days and the Individual Events will be held for the next 3½ days. About 40 highly qualified Match Officials from India and Abroad are expected to officiate in the events.
- The Championships will be telecast live by the DD Sports through out India and by IBM through out the World.
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