"Is the backstage of Chinese table tennis impeccable as well as its invincibility on the court?" While we cheer for the powerful shots of our national table tennis players on the field, few people notice that the management of Chinese table tennis is experiencing a storm. Liu Guoliang and Guo Bin, two pivotal figures, have recently been at the center of controversy. On one side, there are calls for Liu Guoliang, the WTT chairman, to step down, while on the other, Guo Bin, the "godmother of the national team," is heavily in debt, and their situations are affecting the future of the national team. Behind the glory, it seems that a shadow is emerging.
Speaking of Liu Guoliang, who doesn't know him among the Chinese? From being the head coach of the national team to becoming the chairman of WTT, Liu Guoliang is not only a symbol of the glory of the national ball but also a commander on the road of reform. However, this time he has taken a big fall. The incident began with the sudden withdrawal of three main players, Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, and Chen Meng, from the world rankings. This directly exploded public opinion - some fans shouted on social media at midnight: "Without rankings, how will we participate in international competitions? Matches are not child's play!"
This event has led to unprecedented questioning of Liu Guoliang's management style. Famous reporters like He Xiaolong and Du Liyan added fuel to the fire by continuously posting articles accusing Liu Guoliang of "ineffective governance" and directly targeting his reform measures within WTT. Once these words were spoken, even the voices calling for "Liu Guoliang should step down" increased. It should be noted that Liu Guoliang is a recognized table tennis star with a good reputation, but this time he was pushed to the forefront of public opinion, which is somewhat sigh-inducing.
However, if we think calmly, would Liu Guoliang handle things so absolutely? After stepping down from the position of head coach and transitioning to management, although he promoted professionalization of events, are there really such significant internal management issues? I can't help but ask: Is this wave of public opinion storms real problems or have they been magnified by the outside world's microscope?
Compared to Liu Guoliang, Guo Bin's controversies are more complex. Although he is not an athlete by origin, because he is Wang Nan's husband, he has long become an "insider" in the national table tennis circle. Especially his generous support for the national team is a touching story - after the great victory in the Tokyo Olympics, he simply gave away seven quadrangle courtyards to the players and coaches, which shocked many people at the time. After the Paris Olympics, he waved his hand and rewarded Sun Yingsha, Wang Chuqin, and Ma Long with six catties of gold each. People are more interested in this generosity, starting to call him the "godmother of the national team."
However, it seems that Guo Bin has recently gotten into trouble. His company was exposed for owing taxes amounting to 3.81 million, with various disputes and lawsuits entangling him, and he has been restricted from consumption. Previously, some fans jokingly called him a "luggage boy," but now he seems more like a troublesome "big problem." Moreover, the table tennis super league he initiated has not been without controversy. Some people complained about the unprofessional temperature control in the venue, and Guo Bin was criticized for "not being attentive enough," operating in a perfunctory manner as if it were a small business. To make matters worse, he once endorsed a commodity showcase for Wang Chuqin, displaying a pair of sexy stockings, which made the fans speechless: "Would Sister-in-law (referring to Wang Nan) come home to discipline him after seeing this?"
The most dramatic part is his story with Zhang Jike. In 2021, Guo Bin and Zhang Jike publicly "fell out" over something, and the scene was extremely embarrassing. But just when everyone thought these two were irreconcilable, Guo Bin recently appeared in Zhang Jike's live broadcast room and wildly sent gifts, which directly made netizens speculate until they were hoarse: "Is this a gesture of goodwill or public relations?" For Guo Bin, this public opinion carnival is undoubtedly a troublesome signal - with a complex personality and huge contrast, can his persona hold up?
Things have become interesting. Many people may not know that Liu Guoliang and Guo Bin are actually quite familiar with each other. After Liu Guoliang stepped down as head coach, he went to Qingdao with Guo Bin to study the real estate business. It is said that this was also a preparation for Liu Guoliang to start managing professional events. And Guo Bin has also spoken up for Liu Guoliang on multiple occasions, strongly supporting his reforms of the WTT operation system. But now, both of them are almost simultaneously facing public pressure, with some saying it's a coincidence and others suggesting that there may be deeper underlying issues.
In fact, whether it's the turmoil in Liu Guoliang's management or the troubles Guo Bin faces in the commercial field, these two incidents point to a common issue: How should the commercialization path of table tennis be taken? While the business model can certainly enhance the international influence of events, if not handled properly, it can easily lead to problems snowballing and growing bigger.
Guo Bin's "deep involvement" with table tennis is already a typical case. On one side, he is a wealthy major investor, and on the other, he is a controversial commercial operator. On the one hand, he has indeed contributed a lot, such as rewarding players to boost morale; but on the other hand, his tax arrears, commodity showcase incidents, and venue quality controversies have also made many people question: Is the commercialization of sports a blessing or a curse?
The challenges Liu Guoliang faces are similar. The original intention of professionalizing event operations was to make this traditional national sport more influential globally, which sounds fine, but it has indeed exposed some problems during implementation. For example, the incident with the player world rankings reflects the internal dilemma of the national team between responding to international rules and protecting the interests of athletes to some extent. The question before Liu Guoliang is not easy to solve.
So here comes the question, has the management of table tennis reached a stage where it needs thorough reflection? I believe that perhaps Liu Guoliang and Guo Bin's encounters are not accidental events but a profound "omen." As commercial elements increasingly permeate the sports industry, Chinese table tennis needs to face not only the technical challenge of how to win games but also the managerial challenge of how to balance competitive sports with capital operations and better plan the development of athletes.
Collapsed trust requires time to repair, but it also requires genuine reflection and action. Table tennis is a golden brand of Chinese sports, and we believe it can find a balance point between glory and controversy, continue to lead the world, and not disappoint everyone's expectations.
(Disclaimer: The processes and pictures described in the article all come from the Internet. This article aims to promote positive social energy and does not contain any vulgar or inappropriate content. If there are any copyright or personal infringement issues, please contact us in time, and we will delete the content immediately! If there are any questionable parts of the event, we will delete or make changes immediately after contacting us.)