Home » Sports » Table Tennis
China lends partnership hand to rivals
Source: Agencies |
April 4, 2013, Thursday
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CHINESE table tennis players will pair up with international rivals for the first time at this week's Korea Open in a bid to improve competition and boost the sport's global growth.
China has won 24 of the 28 gold medals at the Olympics since the sport was introduced at the 1988 Games, sweeping all four titles at the last two Olympics in London and Beijing.
The Korea Open, which started yesterday in Incheon, west of Seoul, would feature Chinese players partnering with rivals from other countries in the men's doubles, the International Table Tennis Federation said.
"This initiative from the Chinese Table Tennis Association is most welcome. It is a great idea that will help make World Tour events even more exciting," ITTF President Adham Sharara said in a statement.
"It is also one of the positive steps taken by the CTTA to help the development of players from other countries."
Three of the six pairings will involve left-handed players partnering right-handers, and Chinese head coach Liu Guoliang said it was an exciting prospect. "The Korea Open will be our first trial of pairing with foreign players. This invitation is open to every country, not just the top ones, as we want to give everyone a chance," he said.
"I believe this is good for the growth and development of worldwide table tennis."
China has won 24 of the 28 gold medals at the Olympics since the sport was introduced at the 1988 Games, sweeping all four titles at the last two Olympics in London and Beijing.
The Korea Open, which started yesterday in Incheon, west of Seoul, would feature Chinese players partnering with rivals from other countries in the men's doubles, the International Table Tennis Federation said.
"This initiative from the Chinese Table Tennis Association is most welcome. It is a great idea that will help make World Tour events even more exciting," ITTF President Adham Sharara said in a statement.
"It is also one of the positive steps taken by the CTTA to help the development of players from other countries."
Three of the six pairings will involve left-handed players partnering right-handers, and Chinese head coach Liu Guoliang said it was an exciting prospect. "The Korea Open will be our first trial of pairing with foreign players. This invitation is open to every country, not just the top ones, as we want to give everyone a chance," he said.
"I believe this is good for the growth and development of worldwide table tennis."
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