The development strategies of amateur table tennis matches in China based on the SWOT-AHP model: a case study in Shanghai

Given the significance of amateur sports matches in health promotion and city culture construction. It is essential to systematically analyze the organizational mode of city amateur matches and propose development strategies. This study aimed to investigate the sustainable development strategies for city amateur matches in China. This study adopted a hybrid model of combined SWOT and the AHP analysis, using the Shanghai City Amateur Table Tennis Matches (ATTM) as a case study. Results showed that 20 factors of the SWOT analysis were included, and the ranking of weights of the SWOT group are Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Threats, respectively, and the strategic vector (θ, ρ) are (74.21°, 0.5861). ATTM should adopt the S–O pioneering strategy and leverages its advantages and opportunities to promote further development. The findings indicate that ATTM with advanced organizational mode, has good internal strengths and external opportunities, which can enlighten the development of amateur table tennis matches for other regions and countries. Future research should apply the hybrid model to a broader range of events and conduct comparative analyses across countries and regions.