insidethegames exclusively revealed last week that the Qatari had pulled out and will instead seek to defend his vice-presidential position.

The ITTF has today confirmed this is the case with Al-Mohannadi now lending his support to German Weikert's bid to retain the leadership at the expense of the only other remaining candidate, Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium.

"I respect both the nominations of Thomas Weikert and Jean-Michel Saive to become the ITTF President," Al-Mohannadi, who is also President of the Qatar Table Tennis Association and Arab Table Tennis Federation, said.

"However, I have decided to support Thomas Weikert's candidacy for the Presidency.

"Thomas has had two-and-a-half years as President, where he has made positive changes to the sport, and I believe he deserves to be elected as President in his home country and have four more years to continue to work and implement his vision for our sport."

Weikert remains the favourite to continue in the role as he seeks to be elected onto the post for the first time.

The 55-year-old has served as ITTF President since September 2014, assuming the position automatically as he was Adham Sharara's deputy when the Canadian stepped down.

He has employed strategic communications agency Vero to help promote his campaign.

The London-based company has worked on a number of successful campaigns, including Brian Cookson at the International Cycling Union, Sebastian Coe at the International Association of Athletics Federations and Gianni Infantino at FIFA.

Weikert said he is "delighted" to receive the backing of Al-Mohannadi.

"It is wonderful to have his direct support and I am honoured he has chosen to endorse me in the forthcoming ITTF Presidential election," he added.

"For many years now, I have worked closely with Khalil Al-Mohannadi and we have developed a positive working relationship to further strengthen the sport of table tennis in every part of the world.

"Mr. Al-Mohannadi is an excellent leader in our sport who is very well respected.

"I also wish to congratulate him for his success and ongoing valued contribution to developing table tennis in Qatar and internationally.

"If I have the privilege of being elected ITTF President, I will continue to work in partnership with all leaders in our sport and harness the excellent expertise to ensure table tennis grows and thrives."

Explaining his decision to withdraw from the Presidential race, Al-Mohannadi said: "After long discussions with my friends and most importantly my family, even though I believe I had a strong chance of winning the election, I have decided to run for a position on the ITTF Executive."

He added: "I would like to thank all the National Associations who contacted me to support my nomination to become the ITTF President on the back of my dedication to table tennis, through a number of high level positions since 1995."

Saive is presenting himself as the best option to take the sport forward due to his playing experience as one of the greatest European players of the modern era.

He competed at seven-straight Olympic Games from the sport's debut at Seoul 1988 right through to London 2012 and was also his nation's flagbearer at Atlanta 1996 and Athens 2004.

The 47-year-old was a member of the Belgian team which claimed silver at the World Championships in Osaka in 2001 behind the formidable Chinese and finished his career in the sport with six European Championships medals, including singles gold in Birmingham in 1994.

He is also chair of the European Olympic Committees Athletes' Commission.

"Jean-Michel Saive was a great player and ambassador for table tennis, which we all respect him for," Al-Mohannadi said.

"Despite that, Jean-Michel has never held a high-level international political table tennis position.

"So I don't believe it is correct that his first position is that of ITTF President.

"But of course, if he wins, I will be the first to congratulate him."

Al-Mohannadi is one of six current vice-presidents standing again.

Also vying for re-election are Canada's Bruce Burton, China's Shi Zhihao, Japan's Masahiro Maehara, New Caledonia's Patrick Gillmann and Sweden's Petra Sorling.

Other candidates are Argentina's Nestor Tenca, Congo-Brazzaville's Henri Djombo, Egypt's Alaa Meshref, Iran's Afshin Badiee, Libya's Mohammed Aldaeki, New Zealand's James Morris, Russia's Igor Levitin and Tunisia's Lotfi Guerfel.

Sorling is the only female contender among the 14.

One of the eight successful candidates will be chosen as "deputy President" following the election.

Al-Mohannadi currently serves in this position.

The ITTF elections are due to take place on May 31, during the body’s Annual General Meeting in German city Düsseldorf.