Ungratefulness! The Table Tennis Association responds to Ma Long's withdrawal, exposing the four major sponsors of WTT, and recommending strict investigation
The Table Tennis Association has responded with just a few light words, sweeping away the years of effort and achievements of Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, and Chen Meng in one fell swoop!
Following Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng's announcement of their withdrawal from the world rankings on December 27th, Ma Long also announced his withdrawal from the world rankings on December 31st. This has sparked even more discussion among fans. With three key players withdrawing at once, can WTT and the Table Tennis Association still remain calm?
You guessed it! They can't sit still anymore, but the content of their response has left fans dissatisfied! Liu Guoliang responded by saying that all three are outstanding table tennis athletes who have made significant contributions. The Table Tennis Association respects each of their decisions, and if they wish to return in the future, they are always welcome. Crucially, WTT insiders themselves feel that there are issues with the event schedule, but despite knowing this, they continue as usual!
If Fan Zhendong hadn't gambled with the rest of his career this time, would anyone take it seriously? Is Liu Guoliang's response this time out of genuine good wishes for the three or is it due to pressure? There wasn't as much public opinion when Chen Meng and Fan Zhendong withdrew, but it was only after Ma Long announced his withdrawal that it caused more heated discussions. This should also be considered as Long helping Xiaopang silently!
Back in the days of the Three Musketeers, Zhang Jike had mentioned issues with the events, but no one cared at the time, and it eventually fizzled out. This time, Fan Zhendong's withdrawal may mark a new beginning. He also stated that he will continue to participate in the National Games and table tennis leagues, but not in WTT's purely commercial leagues!
The four major sponsors of WTT have also been exposed, namely Shuijingfang, Yili奥地胶, Baiseshan, and the Agricultural Bank of China. These are all big sponsors, but it remains to be seen whether the withdrawal of these key players will affect the sponsors' investments? Netizens have begun to call for a re-evaluation and strict investigation of the relationship between the sponsors and WTT, urging them to give the athletes a reasonable explanation.
Does WTT only bring disadvantages to the athletes? Not really. Purely commercial leagues provide richer bonuses and more opportunities to compete. Athletes can gain higher returns in competition, allowing them to focus more on training and matches, continuously improving their competitive level. Top athletes like Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Chen Meng don't need these additional benefits. Purely commercial leagues can also bring more exciting visual spectacles, which isn't entirely bad if it doesn't interfere with important competitions!
Regarding the current situation of the three athletes:
Ma Long took advantage of his free time to celebrate the New Year with his wife on Hunan TV; he also appeared on programs like "Hello Saturday" and even shared the frame with his idol Yang Mi, making people wonder who to envy more!
Fan Zhendong, because of participating in the New Year's Eve table tennis league, was reported to have become as thin as a piece of paper during training. It's unclear whether he received differential treatment, but clouds cannot obscure the sun!
Chen Meng visited the Qingdao Children's Welfare Institute on January 1st, giving New Year gifts to the children and playing table tennis with them. Sister is truly beautiful and kind-hearted!
The withdrawal of the three athletes is not just a matter of choice; it indicates that there are significant problems within WTT. They want to speak up for more athletes and hope that the media and leadership will take this seriously, ensuring the maximum rights of the athletes. After all, excessive commercialization is akin to gradually approaching the fan circle, which is not beneficial for the athletes. What are your thoughts on this?