China table tennis stars quit China Open after removal of coach

Today everyone is talking about the table tennis starts who quit the game due to unknow reasons.  

we reposted a comment from Weibo:

I support the world top three players, Ma Long, Fan Zhen Dong, Xu Xin, and their coaches, Qin Zhi Jian and Ma Lin. I totally respect their decisions of pulling out of the match to call for justice, fairness, and transparency. The disruptive decision to 'reform the Chinese national table tennis team' recently made by the General Administration of Sport of China was troublesome. And in doing so the authority failed to show transparency, accountability, and a genuine support for fair play. The players were forced to take rapid action to prevent the situation from deteriorating further and raise public awareness. We want everyone hear their voice and help protect their right for freedom of expression.

China's top male table tennis players, who were to play at the ITTF World Tour Platinum China Open on Friday, surprisingly announced they would not attend the event, citing the removal of national team head coach Liu Guoliang.

China's General Administration of Sports issued a statement lateon Friday, saying it "firmly opposes" such behavior which it says"shows no respect for national pride."

The players - namely the world's top three players Ma Long, FanZhendong and Xu Xin - did not turn up for their matches in Chengdu, capital ofSouthwest China's Sichuan Province on Friday. Footage posted to social mediashowed the crowd at the scene shouting Liu Guoliang's name over and over again.

All three voiced their solidarity with Liu on Sina Weibo, postingthe words, "We have no desire to fight at this moment … All because wemiss you Liu Guoliang!"

The Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) announced Tuesday that Liu, a former Olympic champion, will no longer be head coach of the men'snational team due to "management ­restructuring."

Liu was promoted to vice president of the CTTA, a position whichis widely regarded as purely ­ceremonial. The CTTA already has 18 vicepresidents.

The players' protest came a day after Chinese player and world No.4 Zhang Jike quit the Chengdu event due to injury.

Liu's former table tennis partner and national women's team coachKong Linghui was suspended just days ahead of the World Championships in May after a Singaporean hotel sued him over a gambling debt.

China dominates the world in table tennis, winning 28 out of 32 gold medals awarded since it became an Olympic sport in 1988.

source: internet 

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