Latest news with #LiuGuoliang
South China Morning Post
26-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ex-Chinese table tennis head Liu Guoliang tipped to leave federation role to focus on WTT
Outgoing China table tennis chief Liu Guoliang could also be about to leave his position as the deputy president of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), and focus on his role in further developing World Table Tennis (WTT) professional events. Advertisement Before handing his baton at the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) to Wang Liqin on Wednesday, Liu – a multiple Olympic and World Championships winner – was also the chairman of the WTT Council. But according to Chinese media, the 49-year-old could leave his ITTF role to focus solely on his WTT duties. Liu is said to want to elevate table tennis' commercial events to a level comparable to the four grand slams of tennis, to attract more sponsors and fans, to raise more income through gate receipts and live broadcast rights, and to ultimately allow athletes to receive high appearance fees and bonuses. He said on Wednesday, after the announcement of his stepping down from CTTA: 'I've always believed table tennis deserves a bigger stage, a broader voice and a more connected future. My time at CTTA was about building strength at home, but my passion has always extended beyond borders. Liu Guoliang wants to raise table tennis' profile to the level of tennis' grand slams. Photo: Xinhua 'In my international roles, I now have the opportunity to focus on growing the sport globally, bringing it to new audiences, empowering new talents, and elevating how the world experiences table tennis, whilst also showing to the world the charm of my country, China.
South China Morning Post
26-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement The shock defeat suffered by world number one Lin Shidong to a Brazilian rival left fans in despair and calling for change.
South China Morning Post
23-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Chinese table tennis chief Liu Guoliang resigns, replaced by Olympic champion Wang
Liu Guoliang has resigned as president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA), with CTTA vice-president Wang Liqin elected the organisation's new chief on Wednesday. Advertisement Having achieved a career singles grand slam of Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cup, Liu was appointed chief coach of China's national team in 2013, leading the team to a sweep of four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He was first elected CTTA president in 2018, and re-elected in 2023. During his tenure, China claimed nine of 10 Olympic gold medals in table tennis at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Wang, 46, is a two-time Olympic gold medallist and three-time World Championships singles winner. Retiring from the national team in 2013, he has served as CTTA vice-president since 2018. More to follow … Advertisement
