Bahrain Withdraws From Hosting ITTF World Championship Over Safety Concerns

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) on Friday announced that the World Youth Championships will now be held in Istanbul instead of Bahrain from November 21-28.

The Bahrain Table Tennis Association chose to withdraw to prioritise the safety and well-being of all athletes, officials and delegations participating in the event as the war rages on in West Asia.

Türkiye, which is now tasked with hosting the ITTF world title event, will be doing so for the first time. The competition will bring together the world’s best junior talent across Under-19 and U-15 categories.

The Ata Sporları Merkezi, having previously hosted WTT events, has been finalised as the venue. This will also give an opportunity for Turkish organisers to test their delivery ahead of the fourth edition of the European Games in 2027.

“Hosting the ITTF World Youth Championships is a significant step forward for the Türkiye Table Tennis Federation and a reflection of our continued commitment to growing the game across Türkiye. We have been working hard to develop the sport at every level, and welcoming the world’s best young players to our country is exactly the kind of moment that inspires the next generation,” Kerim Koç, president of the Türkiye Table Tennis Federation, said.

ITTF president Petra Sörling welcomed the announcement, saying, “We are grateful to Bahrain for their understanding and commitment to putting the welfare of our athletes first. Istanbul is a wonderful home for this championship – a city that connects continents and communities, much like table tennis itself.”

Bahrain is currently drawn into the escalating regional conflict and has been targeted by retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran, in response to American and Israeli strikes.