Catch Up: Liu Guoliang Is Back // 2018 CTTSL This October & MORE!!!

Hi guys! I would like to throw a catch-up article that sums up what has happened and will be coming up in the world of table tennis.
[Key words: Liu Guoliang's return, 2018 CTTSL, 2018 Women's World Cup, 2018 Euros, 2018 Chinese Nationals...] 

1. Liu Guoliang is Back!

CTTA (Chinese Table Tennis Association) appoints Liu Guoliang, the former head coach of the Chinese table tennis national team and currently vice-president of CTTA, to be the group leader of the Working Group on the Preparation for the New Term of the 9th Committee on 27 September. He will be taking charge of the work of CTTA as well. Lei Jun, vice-president of CTTA, is named the deputy group leader and the members of the working group include Liu Yi, Liu Wei, Wang Liqin, Zhang Lei and Qin Zhijian.

The working group is established to facilitate the preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and deepen sports reform in China. Liu Guoliang further explained in CCTV 5 interview that the main mission of the working group is to help the team to prepare for the 2020 Olympics and special attention will be put on the mixed doubles event, which is a new event at the 2020 Olympics where each delegation can only qualify 1 pair of mixed pair. He also mentioned CTTA, in support of the sports reform, will take up more responsibility in engaging the public in table tennis and maximize the value of table tennis since the sport is no ordinary sport but a long-time national sport in China.

In the afternoon on 27 September, Liu Guoliang makes his first appearance in the table tennis national team training hall in 15 months, he said it felt like going back home. He will attend the opening ceremony of the 2018 Women's World Cup in Chengdu, China as the vice-president of CTTA on 28 September.

Sources: CTTA

2. 2018 CTTSL Coming Up This October

Photo: CTTSL

The long awaited 2018 CTTSL has its drafted schedule announced. The season will be divided into 2 stages with the first stage in a double round-robin basis (a total of 18 rounds) staged from 10 October 2018 to 30 January 2019 and the second stage (Grand Finals) will be scheduled from 16 to 19 February 2019. There are a number of player movements in this season but the final roster for each team is yet to be confirmed. We will keep you updated on this blog when further information is available. Stay tuned!

Related articles:
2018 CTTSL Guide
2017 CTTSL Recap

3. Coming Up: 2018 Women's World Cup Touch Down Chengdu

Photo: ETTU

Are you emotionally prepared for the 2018 Women's World Cup? The tournament will be held from 28-30 September in Chengdu, China. For more details, check ITTF.

Related articles:
Re-visit 2017 Women's World Cup
Throwbacks: Women's World Cup

4. Catch Up: 2018 European Championships & 2018 Chinese National Championships

Many competitions were played in the last few weeks. Catch up the:
2018 European Championships at ITTF; and
2018 Chinese National Championships recap here!

5. Last Words: Table Tennis Moments in 2018

Any thoughts regarding table tennis in 2018? Comment us anonymously in the following post! Your views will play a significant role in our review which is going to be posted at the end of 2018.
Your Views: The Special Moments Of 2018

So that's my quick notes on the recent issues. Thank you for your support.