Also if you compare with Tennis, the game in tennis is only 4 points. But we should not compare, each sport is unique and each sport must find what is best for the sport. Your arguments are not logical and are not fair. As I said, any change will first affect the best, of course, but the best eventually will always be the best. All sports make changes it's a normal process. All changes within the ITTF are made in a democratic way and according to the rules of the ITTF. The ITTF is a Federation of 195 National Associations. We must think of ALL factors and what is best for the sport all over the World.
In any case, I thank you for your input, but it's clear that your thinking is only about China and that is your right of course. I disagree with you but I respect your opinion.
Adham Sharara
President ITTF
Mr. Sharara,
I understand that both participants and audiences agree with the change in point system and ball quality. But, I noticed something in your lines which can certainly prove that the 11-point system is not the right way to prove who the best players are. You said, "Of course the most affected players are the best players. This is always the case when a regulation is changed." You see, the truth lies here. So, what I can say is that the better players don't get what they truly deserve. On the other hand, the worse and less-experienced players get what they don't deserve. Isn't this so unfair? That's why there is an international governing body such as ITTF. One of its purposes is to organize events and show to the world who the best players really are. But, with the change in regulations, the proofs are only becoming wrong. So, please! The best players will only not get what they deserve! Victory and awards are recognition and true reflection of their better talents. So, don't misuse the original concept of judging who the best players are.
I also understand that the purpose is to make it exciting. What makes a very short game exciting? Isn't a longer game more exciting? You know, 11-point game is very short and it's like the first quarter of basketball game. If we reflect on it, do you think it's enough to prove who the winner is? No. I also watch a lot of basketball games especially NBA. I saw a lot of exciting games. Some teams were even able to come back from a huge point deficit in the fourth quarter. Usually, the most exciting games are the longest games with toughest fight. In a long Basketball game, when we see players overcome a30-point deficit, it's really interesting and exciting because we will really see them trying their real best and talents. It's also like that in Table tennis. What we always expect to see is how good they really are. What I can say about an 11-point game is that it's like an easy game being played by small kids. Really! Besides, do you expect to see excitement from a game more than fairness? I think fairness is more important. Fairness proves the real winner. Also, the chances of winning are very important too. You know, 10 points with one point away from 11 is really hard to come back, because ping pong is not an easy game like other sports. You can commit errors easily. So, it must be longer to give players time and chances to try their best. Yeah, 4 sets are many, BUT it's still easy to lose one game, then it's still faster to lose a match. 21 points is not too long though, plus it requires only 2 or 3 sets to win. It's still the same but the fairness, accuracy and chance are the difference. So, the most important one should expect from a ping pong game is winning, not only excitement. Would you wanna see a game which is both easy to win and to lose? Of course not. A game which can be win with more and better effort, and lose with less effort is a better proof and must-see. The player who exerts more always wins the one who exerts less. It is just this simple. I hope for your kind understanding. Games must have fair fight and chances are always important. It's not a gun duel! Thank you and I am looking forward to your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Jonathan Lau
Adham Sharara wrote:
Dear Sir,
I would like to inform you that the idea of the 40 mm ball came from our great President Mr. Xu Yinsheng of China. When Mr. Xure tired and I became the President of the ITTF I followed his ideas. The larger ball is not against any players or any nation, it's to make our sport more visible and more attractive. ALL the TV companies, including those in China are in agreement with the ITTF.
Regarding the 11-point system, although it's a change from our traditional counting system the actual game has remained the same. There is no technical change. Of course the most affected players are the best players. This is always the case when a regulation is changed. The intent is NEVER against any nation, it's for increased excitement and to better present our sport in a more dynamic and exciting sport. This we have achieved. We just concluded the 2003World Championships in Paris with over 10,000 spectators at each session, and even if we had no French players in the later stages, the Stadium (Bercy) was FULL. It was a big success and all the Media(including Chinese), the spectators and the players said that the11-point system is great.
Thank you very much for your input.
Adham Sharara
President
ITTF,
Greetings! I am one of the big audiences of Table tennis big events. I am also here to complain and give opinions about the new point system and changed ball quality. As many people are saying and as it is obviously seen, the first and original point system (21-point), which was invented by the first founders and organizers of Table tennis, was changed by your organization just to end China's domination in the Table tennis world. Is this a proper way of overcoming a challenge? I don’t think it's the proper way. The proper way is to produce better players and have excellent coaching capabilities, not by changing the original face of table tennis. What I can say is that you just can't afford to see the Chinese team, the truly best team, winning many of the events and accept the challenge. Plus, the change of ball size is also part of it. I think reducing the speed is one of the main reasons behind this. Is this the right way to overcome challenge? You don’t overcome the better player’s advantage by changing the ball size and weight just to make their move slower and beat them. Is this a proper way? Remember, life has obstacles. We must accept every challenge. Thus, we must improve ourselves by overcoming them, not by changing the faces of nature. It's just like that in table tennis. Also, I think the 11-point system is not acceptable and is not the right decision. This system only gives players fewer chances to win. Also, 11 points is too short. It's also not enough to prove who is the better player. A real game must be long enough to prove. Just like a battle between 2 best players or fighters. So, please! Don't change the original face of table tennis. 21 point system was invented by our founding fathers of table tennis. Also, the ball, the real and original table tennis is played with the original faces and qualities of everything, ranging from materials to rules.
Truly and sincerely yours,
Jonathan Lau (Philippines)
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