From September 1, any mainland table tennis player who is 21 or over, will not be able to switch allegiance and play for their adopted countries at top tournaments like the world championships and World Cup events.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) passed this rule last week in Guangzhou. The rule didn't exclusively target Chinese players, but everyone knew it was introduced to prevent other countries tapping the inexhaustible ping pong quarry on the mainland.
When the vote was counted at the ITTF annual general meeting, 46 countries voted 'yes' to the ban, while two said 'no'. The two dissenting voices were Hong Kong and New Zealand.
Shame on you Hong Kong, or more specifically Hong Kong Table Tennis Association, for trying to keep alive a system which blocks developing home-grown talent.
When asked about the ban, Tony Yue Kwok-leung, chairman of the HKTTA, said: 'We agree there should be some control measures ... but a total ban ... is not acceptable.'
Come on Tony, isn't it time athletes born in Hong Kong had an opportunity to represent this city, rather than mainland imports? Yes, Hong Kong then won't be able to stand on the medal rostrum like Li Ching and Ko Lai-chak, both mainland imports, did at the Athens Olympics four years ago after they won silver in the men's doubles. But isn't it better to have integrity than become the butt of snide remarks that we are China's 'B' team?
