On 14 April 2008 two of England’s select band of world champions will be celebrating their 75th birthday. The twins Diane and Rosalind Rowe surprised the world of table tennis with their doubles success in Vienna in 1951, and then delighted their home crowd with a repeat victory in 1954 at the Royal Albert Hall. The all-English final, against Ann Haydon and Kathleen Best, took place on their 21st birthday.... Click Here To Read The Full Article

• ITTF, as of immediate effect, advises all players to cease using glues containing volatile compounds (VCs). It is the responsibility of the players and parents using such glues at their own risk.

• All existing ITTF approvals of glues are withdrawn effective immediately.

• ITTF will cease to approve any type of glues effective immediately.

• ITTF will ultimately publish and circulate a list of available glues that are free of volatile compounds and update this list on a regular basis.

• For the time being rackets will continue to be tested in ITTF Events by the present method, to ensure that they do not contain more than a specified level of harmful volatile solvents.

• From 1^st January 2008 for ITTF Junior Events and from 1^st September 2008 for all other ITTF Events, ITTF will introduce an improved “zero tolerance” method of testing and a player whose racket contains any trace of such solvents will be liable to immediate disqualification and will be reported to his or her Association for possible further disciplinary action.

• If a proven health incident occurs and is confirmed by a medical authority approved by ITTF the new testing programme will commence immediately from the date of confirmation of the incident.

• The ITTF urges all parties involved in our sport to act accordingly.