I really think ITTF/WTT dropped the ball on this one, thinking by bringing the Game to the continent of Africa, this will encourage participation in the sport by locals. But quite contrary to their belief, I don't believe there is a single SA in attendance or who gives a damn about this sport, except the ball boys who are most likely doing this for the free apparels and such. 

I believe Dima was heard saying something along the lines of: " I can't play like this".

During doubles match.

You need tickets for each area, so other than a cost factor now, there is also walking around from 1 table to another. If you want to watch table 1 and table 2 at the same time? You can watch table 1 live and stream table 2 on your phone. It’s so stupid

Like today, its only Table 1 and 2 playing. Its not really next to each other...lol

2) 1 SA TT Fan?

There is more than 1 SA TT fan there, but many are doing duties as volunteers, umpires, etc. Many cannot be in the crowd enjoying it.

Durban doesn’t have much TT fans. And people would need to travel in from around 600km Johannesburg, or a 2 hour flight from Cape Town. So the first weekend had a bit more, and hoping for the finals weekend. During the week, not going to happen.
School exams start next week too, so it’s a bad timing too.

3) I do think someone dropped the ball, as bringing a world champs into a country, won't just grow the sport, especially bid to tournament with only around 2 years. Its unlike Olympics or Fifa world cups, where there is a huge preparation period.

SA also had very limited ITTF events, with maybe 2 during the past 20 years. 2016 World junior champs, which was not bad and maybe in the early 2000s with a junior open.

The WTT Contender in Jan 2023, to warm up for the WTTF was delayed from around Aug/Sep. the 10 Jan contender was announced end of Nov. With Christmas holidays already booked way before end November, the 10 Jan contender was a waste of time and money - including very little players flew in for it.

Having said that, the SA national federation won't be winning any awards for top sport federation in any country. But a lot of problems that I see, is beyond them.

4) Musics - well, this is a new theme and is irritating. Since music for 1 area, can be heard in another. This is an ITTF problem, not Durban

5) Lighting,

Funny, it is fine, but some how the youtube feeds makes it feel dark.

I think it is where they placed the camera

Some players actually complained it is too bright.

Here is some links for you to see how bright it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79H7hI4jAFU" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79H7hI4jAFU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Zg2uuiIH8" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Zg2uuiIH8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JGe52zYguo" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JGe52zYguo

6) other than too bright of lights, players have also talked about the background lights (by the spectators) issue - where some times they turn it off (to give it that dark theme). This was during live play too....

Then breeze issue - since this is an conference centre, some times some genius will open shuttle doors and allow breeze to come in, thus affect service toss.

7) and yeah, ITTF AGM voted,  Melbourne lost in the 1st round. Durban beat Düsseldorf 90 to 39 votes.

Looking at all the countries that bid the past few years, and pulled out. It does feel like only a handful of countries want to host it (over and over and over again), while the rest, really have a small group that will have the guts to bid to the final stages.

I do feel, someone who has hosted (by country), can't host again inside the next say, 10 years. And resources need to be made to help countries that haven't bid before, to bid.

We all know its only China, and Germany that can fill the crowd. Europe will be a upper hand due to its close proximity, visa free, ease of travel etc. But when last did we have one in South America or Oceania? China shouldn't hold anything, these days have enough major WTT events that they are hosting. Just my 2 cents, else, less and less countries will bid, or just drop out early in the bid.

For Africa, I would of preferred Egypt, Tunisia and Nigeria over SA. But, they didn't submit a bid.

That makes sense with those ITTF AGM.  I wouldn't mind seeing France, UK, Germany, China, Korea, or Korea hosting these large World Championship events.  At least these countries have a huge tt following unlike SA or even the USA from last year.  While audience attendance shouldn't matter to the players, but if I were a player, I'd definitely like to play in front of a packed stadium of audiences, at least that displays the importance and significance of such large event.  I missed the good old days of the 2003 Bercy and 2005 Shanghai, even the 2009 Yokohama WTTC were intense.  I hope the next venue the AGMs choose would be in one of the aforementioned countries.

Yeah, I hear you.

But AGM doesn't choose or vote.

Countries need to submit bids to say, I am interested in hosting and pick me.
I would also love UK or France, but they didn't bid past few years, so it is impossible to pick them.

SA does have its geological disadvantage - its so far from every country. So flying in is tiring.
But it is cheap for foreigners due to a weak local currency. As I said, Egypt or Tunisia would had been better, since its a bigger TT market and very close to Europe or international transit hubs.

Spain did bid, Germany did, Argentina did (you can go check the bid history for world individuals and world teams).

I would like Brazil, Thailand, Australia to host in the coming few years. That will be my Americas/Asia/Oceania wishlist

Korea is hosting next year, then with Qatar after that.

Packed arena. Lively atmosphere.

There are so many places that could be good and almost no places that could be worse than what we're seeing.

I know it's not that simple and it isn't just pick and choose between cities everywhere, but it's a disaster that WTT can't do better than what this has been.

yep, agree.

Since I predicted around 500 locals to be at the hall, and maybe around 100~200 of them being involved as a staff, that number is still too low for the crowds.

I arranged rural kids to go see the tournament and for 2 days, 14 people, the cheapest ticket costs was USD1000, or $35 per person. Not many can afford this amount, yet alone the costs tied to accommodation and travel.

I also have around 100-200 that is 80km away that could show up, if they received complimentary tickets. (people want to go, but can't afford it but do need few days notice to plan transportation)

Sadly, the economy locally has not recovered, and table tennis is normally played by people with a tighter budget.

I thought the LOC should make cheaper priced tickets for "members". and then keep the higher priced for international/non-members.

What they did do was scramble last min complimentary tickets to make some few nearby to come, and it was very bad planning (since the closes major TT hub is 600km away).