The ITTF has cut the ribbon on its new Asia-Pacific headquarters. ITTF CEO Steve Dainton met Sportsmaster chairman Frank Ji for the august ceremony. The move represents a strong emphasis on the commercial development of table tennis. Chairman Ji has been instrumental in securing corporate sponsorship for the ITTF, as well as developing the T2 Diamond-Tier events which are revolutionizing the sport. Dainton said that the new headquarters will "try and be less federation-style, and be more commercial style." He also hinted that the ITTF was considering relocating from its global headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. "We found it better to have our media, marketing and our competition staff all located in one spot and connected to the commercial business, which is largely centred on Asia," Dainton explained. Ellen Lee, president of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (pictured), predicts the move will bring "a lot of vibrancy to Singapore and to the sport itself." If table tennis continues to thrive in its new Asia-Pacific headquarters, Singapore might just become the new global headquarters.

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