The following is a translation of the CTTA statement.
On 29 May, 2017, Kong Linghui was suspended as the chief-coach of the Chinese women's national team. As CTTA further investigated the issue, the association has revealed deep-rooted problems in the management of the table tennis team. Since the former head coach, Liu Guoliang used to focus more on the men's team, CTTA has decided to reform the management style to build a more effective and efficient team that has fewer management level and enhance the efficiency of preparing the Olympics. The Chinese National team will not have the head coach and chief coaches but manage by the men's coaching team and women's coaching team instead. In consideration of Liu Guoliang contribution to the Chinese National Table Tennis Team and his individual ability, CTTA suggested to assign him as the vice-president of the CTTA. The Association hopes that he could use his strength in managing and training the team and his leadership in competitions at a higher-level platform, at the same time, contribute to the CTTA reform. The association has communicated with Liu Guoliang regarding this.
After CTTA announced the restructure of the Chinese National Table Tennis Team, it has caused high social attention. Many have provided their opinion and advice. CTTA is grateful for the love and care on table tennis and will take the opinion and advice into consideration as to improve jobs related to the national team.
On 23 June, in 2017 China Open men's singles wound of 16, Chinese team member Ma Long, XU Xin, Fan Zhendong and their coach Qin Zhijian and Ma Lin forfeited the competition without CTTA approval. It has put a sever social impact. In this regard, CTTA is deeply shocked and distressed.
CTTA will reflect on the problems revealed in this incident and enhance patriotism and collective education, strengthen the construction of ideology and build a disciplined, competent and persistent team which will earn national glory. CTTA believes the Chinese National Table Tennis Team has its long tradition and sheer depth and will keep on achieving good results and will not let the Party and people down.
Sources: CTTA
My respect to Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, Xu Xin and both coaches. Table tennis should in the first place be about sport, players and coaches, not about management. Those five are all about that and also showed their loyalty to their coach and friend.
ReplyDeleteWhat is your view on all of this? Was this just a badly timed, albeit structurally necessary change to the national team organisation, or do you believe that it was politically motivated? It strikes me as odd to make a decision so abruptly that the three key players of the national team decide to do something as drastic as boycotting a tournament on home soil just three hours after they played their last match (Fan/Xu vs. Harimoto/Kizukuri). Contrary to the general impression I have of Chinese table tennis, this doesn't look at all carefully thought through or planned, but impulsive and rushed, as if it was more of an impromptu coup than anything else.
ReplyDeleteThere are still not much information regarding the incident. From what I've read from the media, the major discourse is that there is a need for reform but it should be carried out by mutual consent. Whatever reasons are forfeiting competitions is inappropriate. This is what the story has developed.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, it is hard to say the "reform" has no political motivations at all. Or else, what are the reasons for making a roughly planned reform in haste on an excellent team which has been changing and challenging themselves? If the "reform" is just for better management, it's not convincing enough. I am not an insider and I don't know the exact motives, interests and to what extent it is politically motivated of having such "reform" but this is nothing new in Chinese sports team.
From the past experiences, there were not many resistances that have made such a loud voice in Chinese sport context. Having 3 top players betting their career to voice out their demand should be a planned act (not an impulsive act of an individual athlete) but not a carefully planned one.
To my understanding on Chinese politics, as a centralized power, rebellions and emerging local power are unwanted. Thus protesting in an unconventional way is undesirable. This means the athletes/coaches/team are not likely have their demand responded in a short-run. As fulfilling their demands will only encourage more people to protest in such extreme ways. Moreover they boycotted the matches in the name of missing LGL (he is an excellent coach and leader for sure) but individualism and small group of rising power is a taboo in a centralized power. This makes it more certain that their demand will not be fulfilled. So their act may prevent the reform from getting even worse but can do nothing to take it back to its original.
BUT I mean their demand would not be answered in a short-term only. After all, the Chinese table tennis is the role model among other Chinese sport teams no matter in terms of their results, achievements and spirits. If the most-decorated team, Chinese table tennis team, does not have the respect from the General Administration of Sports, what will other teams think? And if the Chinese table tennis team gets worse and loses several most-anticipated medals, the General Administration of Sports will not have a good time either. Therefore, I believe a year or so, the Chinese table tennis team will retain its composure. If not, it will be a huge disaster for the Chinese table tennis team and other sport teams.
Thanks for a detailed and informative response! I think along the same lines, albeit with even less information than what you have been able to access. It would truly be an unprecedented disaster if the CNT will recede their top position because of internal political squabbling...
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