[Christian Moser]

and that was his answer:

Dear Mr. Moser,

Thank you for your message and your very kind words.

Please allow me to clarify some points:

1. ITTF Decisions
Decisions at the ITTF level regarding rules are made either by the
Annual general Meeting (AGM) for matters concerning Chapters 1 and 2
of the ITTF Handbook (1. Constitution, 2. Laws of the Game), or by
the Board of Directors for Chapters 3, 4 and 5 (International
Competitions, World Championships, Anti-Doping code). Propositions
are received by a deadline from National Associations or ITTF
Committees. Therefore, to make a change to the current rule regarding
coefficient of friction for pimpled rubber, a proposition must come
from either the committee involved (Equipment Committee), which is
unlikely, or from a national association. All other efforts to make a
change to this rule, although noble and appreciated, are actually a
waste of time and will not affect the regulation in any way.
Therefore, I meant that to change an ITTF rule, your best bet is
through your national association and not through me or any e-mail
campaign.

As you noted very correctly, the Board of Directors includes more
than 50 persons, of which I only have 1 vote, exercised only in case
of a tie. Of course the President of any federation does have
influence, but before any rule is changed a proposition must be made
as explained in the previous paragraph.

2. Defensive Style
By your own admission, and the admission of many who have written me,
the so-called "slippery long pimples" have not really produced any
defensive players of note and it is very easy to play against.
Therefore, this type of rubber is not the solution to produce or
protect the defensive style of play, nor does it seem to be of any
use, according to you and others, in abating the offensive style.
Therefore, the real reason for being against the new rule must be for
other motives. I believe I understand the real reasons. Many players
may find that the rubber they use is no longer legal and they must
change it. This is very annoying, and this reason I fully understand.
All the arguments about the defensive players, the defensive style,
etc., do not hold water for me. They are just excuses. The real
reason I accept is that many players who use this type of rubber
because they like it may have to change if their rubber becomes
illegal. I am very sorry about this, but that is what happens when we
must implement a regulation, there is always a minority that may
suffer. But my role as ITTF President is to look at the bigger
picture. We definitely need a regulation regarding the coefficient of
friction in order to give proper guidelines to manufacturers and also
the necessary tools for our Umpires to judge the legality of rackets.

I also understand that some manufacturers, one in particular, may
lose a chunk of business if their product is no longer legal. Again,
I am sorry about this, but this same manufacturer will be able to
sell new products replacing the illegal ones. So, over a long term
period, players will adjust, manufacturers will adjust and this new
rule will be fully accepted.

Please feel free to post this answer on your web-site. I have spent a
lot of time on this matter, more than it deserves, but I was touched
by the sincerity and concern of our players and felt it important to
respond to each one of them on a subject that is dear to their heart.
But this is my LAST correspondence on this subject, so I wish you and
all your colleagues all the best, and I sincerely hope that you will
all find a positive solution regarding your equipment and that you
will continue to enjoy our beloved sport.

Over and out.

Adham Sharara
ITTF