Unexpected Leadership Change in Austrian Table Tennis with Liu Jia

In a surprising turn of events, the Austrian Table Tennis Association (ÖTTV) held its highly anticipated general assembly in Vienna, leading to unexpected changes in its leadership. Wolfgang Gotschke was re-elected as president, while Stefan Fegerl, the previous vice president for sports, was ousted from his position. The assembly elected legendary player Liu Jia as the new vice president.

According to reports, Gotschke won the election against former sports and defense minister Norbert Darabos by a narrow margin of 21 votes to 17, with five abstentions. Liu Jia triumphed over Fegerl with 23 votes to 19, including one abstention.

In her first public statement following the election, Liu expressed her surprise at the outcome, acknowledging the division within the ÖTTV. She emphasized her commitment to restoring harmony within the organization and the need to regain the trust of sponsors and supporters. Liu highlighted her intention to prioritize open communication and positive engagement with all stakeholders in the sport.

Reflecting on the recent turmoil within the association, Liu expressed her deep sadness over the situation, noting the emotional toll of the events that had unfolded. She reiterated her dedication to fostering a positive environment for the youth involved in table tennis, aiming to set a commendable example for future generations. Liu had initially intended to serve in the vice president role on a voluntary basis while appointing someone else to the position of sports director, which Fegerl had held concurrently.

The ÖTTV has announced plans for further inquiries into the recent controversies that have plagued its leadership. Gotschke remained unavailable for interviews following the election, having faced significant criticism from players prior to the vote. The decision to hold new elections was made by the ÖTTV president's conference after failing to reach a consensus on actions against Gotschke and Fegerl.

A preliminary report from an internal investigation committee had reportedly corroborated allegations of psychological abuse and neglect against the two officials, indicating a severely strained relationship between the athletes and the ÖTTV leadership. Despite these allegations, both Gotschke and Fegerl have consistently denied the claims and proceeded with their candidacies.

The ÖTTV is also facing potential repercussions in terms of funding, as the Federal Sports GmbH had indicated that the association could face significant financial penalties should Gotschke and Fegerl be re-elected. With Gotschke retaining his presidency and Liu stepping into the vice presidency, the ÖTTV may still be at risk of losing approximately 1.8 million euros in funding for 2025, although the association has indicated plans to take countermeasures through legal channels.

In total, 43 votes were available during the election, with each regional association holding four votes, except for Upper Austria, which had six, and Lower Austria, which had five. Additionally, honorary presidents Reinhard Engel, Johann Friedinger, Gottfried Forsthuber, and Rudolf Weinmann each held one vote.