Vienna – A growing rift within Austrian table tennis has erupted into a formal challenge to the leadership of President Wolfgang Gotschke and Vice President Conrad Miller. Five of the country’s nine regional associations – Vienna, Tyrol, Salzburg, Upper Austria, and Carinthia – are demanding their removal, citing a “permanently damaged” relationship of trust. The move, announced late Monday, sets the stage for an extraordinary general meeting where a vote of no confidence will be held.
The demand for change comes amid increasing scrutiny over the handling of allegations of abuse against a former youth coach. The situation has been further complicated by the recent resignation of Vice President Liu Jia, a move criticized by the remaining regional associations who support Gotschke and Miller. This internal conflict threatens to destabilize the ÖTTV, the Austrian Table Tennis Federation, at a critical juncture for the sport.
The five dissenting associations have formally requested the convening of an extraordinary general meeting to initiate the process of removing Gotschke and Miller from their positions. According to reporting from ORF, the associations believe the current leadership has lost the confidence of a significant portion of the organization. The core of the dispute centers on the perceived mishandling of an investigation into the allegations against the former coach, and the subsequent decision to reinstate him at a club overseen by Miller before recently suspending the employment relationship.
The remaining four regional associations – Burgenland, Lower Austria, Styria, and Vorarlberg – have publicly backed Gotschke and Miller, criticizing the call for their resignation as unjustified. They are instead supporting the leadership’s call for a transparent investigation conducted by the Care and Compliance Committee appointed by the board, as reported by sport.ORF.at.
Controversial Reinstatement Fuels Calls for Change
The controversy surrounding the former coach’s reinstatement has become a focal point of the dispute. Miller, in a statement quoted by ORF, defended the initial decision, stating, “It was not foreseeable that there could be further allegations. The general assembly decided to entrust the said person with the role of sports director again.” This explanation has done little to quell the concerns of the five associations demanding a leadership change.
Hubert Dobrounig, president of the Carinthian regional association, expressed a desire for a “recent beginning” for Austrian table tennis. “We want a new beginning, a fresh start, so that we can bring table tennis together again and not drift further apart. If they don’t want to vacate the court and wait it out, then the gentlemen in Vienna will have to dress warmly,” Dobrounig said, signaling the determination of the dissenting associations to notice their demands met.
The path to removing Gotschke and Miller is not straightforward. A two-thirds majority is required to oust either official. The voting structure within the ÖTTV is complex, with each of the nine regional associations entitled to a vote. Upper Austria holds two of the four basic votes due to its higher number of registered players, while Lower Austria receives one additional vote for the same reason. In addition to the regional associations, the five honorary presidents each have one vote, bringing the total number of votes to 44.
Currently, the five associations calling for change control 22 votes. If the honorary presidents align with their position, the total could reach 27. However, 30 votes are needed to successfully remove either Gotschke or Miller from office.
A Glance at Recent Leadership Changes
The current turmoil follows a period of recent leadership adjustments within the ÖTTV. In March 2025, Liu Jia was elected as the new Vice President, with Wolfgang Gotschke confirmed as President, according to the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU). The circumstances surrounding Liu Jia’s subsequent resignation remain a point of contention, with the supporting associations accusing the current leadership of failing to address her concerns adequately.
The ÖTTV board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss the escalating crisis. The outcome of that meeting could significantly influence the trajectory of the upcoming extraordinary general meeting and the future of Austrian table tennis. The stakes are high, as the sport faces a period of uncertainty and potential division.
The next key date is the scheduled ÖTTV board meeting on Wednesday, where the leadership will likely discuss the request for an extraordinary general meeting and strategize their response. The timing and outcome of that meeting will be crucial in determining whether the dispute will escalate to a formal vote of no confidence.
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