Table tennis, once revered as the national sport by countless Chinese, seems to have recently sunk into deep trouble. On the surface, we still firmly occupy the top spot in the world table tennis arena, but under Liu Guoliang's "iron-fisted management," the table tennis management system is facing an unprecedented test. Why, behind the brilliant achievements, are more and more voices beginning to question? Is Liu Guoliang saving Chinese table tennis, or pushing it towards an unimaginable future?
When it comes to Chinese table tennis, Liu Guoliang's name is almost synonymous with it. From being a "table tennis prodigy" to the current "helmsman," his identity has changed significantly, but his power has become increasingly concentrated. Unlike decision-making methods in other sports, table tennis under Liu Guoliang has formed an extremely centralized management structure. It can even be said that almost all important decisions are dominated by him alone, especially in the selection of national team players and event arrangements.
For example, in the past management structure of table tennis, although there were also collisions of different opinions, the dispersion of power allowed various views to achieve a certain balance. However, since Liu Guoliang took office, the entire decision-making process has been almost entirely determined by him. Whether it's player training, match scheduling, or event selection, all decisions are almost under his control.
This raises a question: Does excessive concentration of power lead to decision-making errors? In the football world, the multi-layered decision-making mechanism of the Football Association does have problems, but at least there is a certain degree of transparency. What about the table tennis world? Liu Guoliang's decision-making is almost like "working behind closed doors," with many key issues not receiving widespread discussion and reflection. How can such a management model ensure that no problems occur?
Speaking of transparency in management, the Super League must be mentioned. In other sports, the management and operation of events often have a certain degree of openness and feedback mechanisms, though sometimes there are inevitably opaque areas. However, the transparency issue in the table tennis world, especially in the operation of WTT events, appears particularly serious. As an important part of Chinese table tennis, the Super League should have more voices and decision-making participation. However, the reality is that almost all decisions are made by Liu Guoliang and a few others, with almost zero understanding and participation from the outside world in the decision-making process.
Such a management model not only makes people feel like they've entered a "black box," but it also easily leads outsiders to question the overall development of table tennis. Because of the lack of transparency in decision-making, many people find it difficult to judge what considerations and backgrounds these decisions are based on. Table tennis can continue to maintain such a strong record, but hidden management issues may become stumbling blocks to development.
As Liu Guoliang gradually promotes the commercialization of Chinese table tennis, he has injected a large amount of resources into WTT events, attempting to drive exposure for events and athletes through commercialization. However, this excessive commercialization, does it really align with the long-term interests of table tennis?
In recent years, as national team players frequently participate in WTT events, it has brought huge commercial revenue to Chinese table tennis, but the competitive state of the players has shown a decline, especially core players like Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, whose competitive state and physical strength have also been affected. Everyone knows that the career of a table tennis player is limited, and long-term participation in high-intensity competitions may affect their health and future performance. The decline in physical fitness of Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng has already sparked considerable discussion among outsiders.
The key issue here is whether there is a good balance between commercial interests and player development? Is it worth sacrificing the competitive state of the players for commercial exposure? If this phenomenon is not effectively curbed, will Chinese table tennis be able to maintain such strong competitiveness in the future? This is something worth deep thought.
The concentration of power in Liu Guoliang is not just external doubts; in fact, within the table tennis management layer, there have long been potential contradictions and challenges. Under his leadership, once-powerful coaches and managers have gradually been marginalized. Although on the surface, everyone is working hard for the honor of Chinese table tennis, behind the scenes, power struggles and dissatisfaction have been spreading.
How will this internal division and struggle affect the future of Chinese table tennis? Does the dictatorship in table tennis management imply a greater crisis? If this internal conflict is not resolved in time, the long-term development of table tennis will likely face significant obstacles. More seriously, this power struggle also affects the inheritance and development of table tennis management. Without a good management succession mechanism, will the "golden age" of future Chinese table tennis become history?
In recent years, as Chinese table tennis continues to develop, issues regarding the treatment and career development of national team players have gradually come to light. Although Liu Guoliang has made great efforts to push the Chinese table tennis team to achieve greater success internationally, the investment in players' logistical support and career planning seems somewhat weak.
Especially young players, many of whom after entering the national team, have not received sufficient career planning and support. These young players find it difficult to find suitable development paths in a high-pressure environment. At the same time, the treatment of some core players has also attracted wide attention. For the sake of commercialization and event scheduling, the life and training rhythms of many players have been disrupted, casting a shadow over the prospects of their careers.
These issues not only affect the competitive state of the players but also make their careers face many uncertainties. If this situation continues, where will the "superstars" of the future of Chinese table tennis be found?
Liu Guoliang's "iron-fisted" management style actually shares many similarities with the management systems of other Chinese sports projects. The "FA reform" in Chinese football is one typical example. Although the results of table tennis are unparalleled in the world, its management style in some aspects mirrors the problems in football, basketball, and other projects: centralized power, insufficient transparency, and lack of effective decision-making mechanisms.
To maintain the advantageous position of Chinese table tennis, relying on one or two "iron-fisted figures" is not enough. What Chinese table tennis needs is not just a powerful manager, but a more open and inclusive management system that can accommodate different voices and avoid the problem of excessive concentration of power. At the same time, the reform of China's sports management system is urgently needed to be deepened. Only by truly solving these structural problems can Chinese sports welcome a healthier future.
The future of Chinese table tennis should not be solely entrusted to the shoulders of one person.