May 1, 2001

Europeans Voice Disapproval

Ever since the new service rules and the 11-point format have been voted in, many players in Osaka have strongly voiced their disapproval of the changes. They said that the new rules were the results of the ITTF officials' own ideas, without considering the players' opinions.

French player C. Legout angrily told reporters that this year he has met with ITTF president Sharara, and he told him that the changes have to be gradual, and that they should meet the needs of the market and the television producers. He did not expect Sharara to be so aggressive, and that Sharara would tell other people that Legout supported Sharara's proposals.

Another French player, Gatien, said humorously that the 38 mm became 40 mm, and may become 42 mm in the future. There is a danger that table tennis will become handball.

Waldner said that he has given a lot of thought to the new proposals. If those could truly broaden the game's reception worldwide and help its development, he would be all in favor of the changes. However, concealing the serves is a special characteristic of table-tennis techniques, and he does not see the need to eliminate that. Also, there are a lot of clubs in Sweden, and many children are learning to play the game just like in China. If the rules and the equipment change constantly, how many of these children want to continue with the sport? In addition, the new rules favor the powerful and the bigger children. That is not fair to the smaller kids who have better reflexes and are quicker.

Belgian player J-M Saive does not want to say too much about the rule changes, because that affects his preparations. But he said that table tennis is played between players, not between ITTF officials.



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