Departure of table tennis chief comes at a critical time
China's love of table tennis, a sport deeply embedded in the country's history and culture, cannot be overstated. The medal-winning feats of star players are a source of national pride.
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The sudden resignation of the mainland's table tennis chief has, therefore, understandably prompted much reflection on the future development of the sport in China.
Liu Guoliang, who stepped down as president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) on Wednesday, has been a prominent figure since emerging as a talented player in his teens.
As national team coach he guided Chinese players to nine Olympic gold medals out of a possible 10. He was elected head of the CTTA in 2018 and re-elected in 2023.
Liu said he had decided to step down, midterm, to ensure the new leadership has adequate time to prepare for the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. The aim is to ensure a smooth transition. But his departure comes at a critical time, only three days after the nation's men failed to win the ITTF World Cup singles in Macau.
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The shock defeat suffered by world number one Lin Shidong to a Brazilian rival left fans in despair and calling for change.
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