Qatari Push to Dominate Another Sport, Table Tennis, Draws Scrutiny

A high-stakes table tennis tournament took place in Doha, Qatar, held in an unusual, nearly empty desert venue as part of the World Cup, drawing attention to the region's growing influence in international sports. Behind the matches, a wealthy Qatari businessman sought the presidency of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), highlighting ongoing conflicts over bribery and extravagant spending within the sport. Despite its reputation as a casual pastime, table tennis remains a vibrant, commercially significant sport worldwide, particularly in East Asia, with far-reaching implications for Gulf nations' global standing.