The course is supposedly targeted at officials within all table tennis bodies, with the aim of "providing skills and knowledge on how to better administrate their association". 

It will focus on seven "key" areas of governance, finance, working with partners, human resources, organising competitions, marketing and promotion and values.

The course is available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic and is free for everybody.

"The ITTF has until now focused on coach, umpire and referee education, as well as player development pathways," said ITTF deputy chief executive Glenn Tepper. 

"The next challenge was to work on administration as the backbone to the success of all programmes through ITTF DNA, developing National Associations, and we are very proud to release this self-paced, online administration course in four languages that can be done as a whole or targeted to the needs of the individuals within each association's administration."

Sponsor Stag are the official partner of the course.

They will provide special equipment packages for the first national associations to reach the milestones of 10, 50 and 100 users completing the programme.

It comes as Germany's ITTF President Thomas Weikert aims to boost his support around the world before seeking election to continue in the post on May 31.

Belgium's former world number one Jean-Michel Saive is his only opponent in a two-horse race.

"With the release of the ITTF Administration Course, ITTF is again fuelling the development of table tennis and empowering all National Associations, as part of ITTF DNA," added Weikert.

"With ITTF soon to have every country on earth as a member, the first International Sports Federation to achieve this milestone, our focus turns to increasing the quality and technical capacities of our National Associations and this administration course is a big step in the right direction. 

"We congratulate our Development Department on another great initiative for our sport."

Guinea-Bissau was accepted as the 226th full member of the ITTF earlier this month.

ITTF chief executive Judit Farago is currently suspended on full pay until after the World Championships, beginning in Düsseldorf on May 29 after an apparent breakdown in relations with Weikert. 

More information on the administration course can be found here.