I'm not against Chinese team: ITTF chief (Xinhua) Updated: 2004-03-04 14:49
As China versus rest of the world has become the only scenario in major table
tennis events, the sport's world leader Adham Sharara said he is not against the
title- sweeping Chinese team.
The Canadian, who succeeded Chinese Xu Yinsheng as International Table Tennis
Federation (ITTF) President in 1999, told reporters on Wednesday that table
tennis reforms he had been pursuing were not aimed to prevent China from piling
up gold medals.
Quite a few Chinese including the national team's head coach Cai Zhenhua have
accused the ITTF of hindering the Chinese team by changing rules or making new
ones.
The ITTF has introduced the large ball, 11 points scoring and all-to-see
service rule in recent years.
"The impression in China is that the ITTF in general and maybe ITTF president
in particular is against the Chinese national team, " said Sharara.
"I think the reaction of media or fans in China is normal because every
change the ITTF makes will first affects China, the strongest table tennis
country in the world.
"Any change to rules may have an immediate impact on the performance of the
Chinese team. But in reality, the ITTF and myself are always thinking about what
we can do to improve the sport. We never think what is good for China, or good
for Germany. "
Sharara asked Chinese reporters to take his message to Chinese fans and media
that the ITTF is never against the Chinese team.
"Rules we have made or changed are for the best of the sport, not against
China," he said.
"If you want to say that I am a very bad man, maybe more people will read
your newspapers," Sharara quipped.
