It is clear that the nation that is on top of a sport would not like to make any changes.
This is very easy to understand. therefore, I fully understand the
motivation of the Chinese TTA to try to maintain our sport as it is.
In my opinion the new scoring system has affected ALL top players,
especially the older players. As far as the young players are
concerned, from China and elsewhere, they have adapted very quickly.
In my opinion this is just a transition period and in a few years it
will no longer be an issue. However, it is the right of the Chinese
TTA to try and do what is best for its own members and for its team.
My role, as President of the ITTF, is to try to convince them that
the change is good for the "majority" and that we must look into the
future and be prepared for the years ahead with a more exciting and
attractive sport.
* What do you think about the chances of the proposal to pass?
The reason we have an Annual General Meeting is to give a chance for
the association making the proposal to explain its motivation and to
give a clear rationale. Then the final decision is made by the
delegates voting. In this case, because it is a change in the "Laws
of Table tennis" it will require a 75% majority. We will know the
outcome only after the vote.
* What would a comeback of the 21 mean for table tennis and its
development?
I know that there is still a lot of resistance in some areas against
the 11-point system. I know for example that in England the veterans
players and some leagues do not like the 11-point system. But the
role of the ITTF is to look ahead and try to present our sport in
the most exciting way. It is true that for some it has been very
difficult to adjust to the new scoring system and that they would
prefer to come back to 21-point system; but if we wish to sell our
sport to the TV networks, to attract journalists to our events, and
to make the matches more dramatic, then of course I would prefer
that we maintain the 11-point system.
* The Chinese obviously think that the rule changes, especially the 11
point format, is a disadvantage for them. What do you think about it
and the theory that rule changes are a chance for the weaker and a
danger for the stronger?
Of course they are right. Any rule change will disadvantage the top
players. Imagine if you made any kind of rule change in basketball.
Who will be the first affected? The Americans of course. It's the
same in table tennis. Any rule change will disadvantage the top
players, and at this moment it does affect the Chinese because they
are the best. But over time the best will always rise to the top. So
the fact that some of the top Chinese players have lost to some so
called lower ranked players is a normal temporary result of the rule
change. But in fact that is not a bad thing, as a matter of fact it
is even very good for the Chinese themselves. It increases interest
in their results and in my opinion it's a healthy development for
our sport.
I always say: if our sport was daily on all TV screens, if it was
taking daily space in the sport pages of all newspapers, if our top
athletes were recognized in the street in most countries, and if
millions were playing in each country; then we would not need to
make any changes at all. Unfortunately it's not the case. So change
is necessary, development is necessary, and investments are
necessary, but most of all COURAGE is necessary to take chances and
make our sport better.
Adham Sharara
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