China News Service, Chengdu, October 6th (Reporter He Shaoqing Anyuan) The reporter learned from the WTT World Table Tennis Federation on the 6th that at the WTT World Table Tennis Federation board meeting held on the 5th, Liu Guoliang was elected as the WTT World Table Tennis Federation's first chairman of the board of directors.
After the meeting, ITTF President Petra Sorin appointed Liu Guoliang as the first vice-chairman of the ITTF.
It is understood that Liu Guoliang is China's first table tennis men's Grand Slam. During his retirement as the coach of the Chinese table tennis team, he led the team to win almost all honors.
In 2018, Liu Guoliang served as the chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association.
In 2020, he will become the chairman of the WTT World Table Tennis Federation Council, and in 2021, he will be elected as the executive vice-chairman of the ITTF.
ITTF President Petra Sorin said: "As ITTF President, it was a very easy decision to choose Liu Guoliang as the first vice-chairman, and I have always dreamed of working with someone as experienced as him. Liu Guoliang, the First Vice-Chairman of the United Nations, will of course be the person who works closely with me. He is also the person who can take over my position if necessary. From now on, all decisions I make will be the first to seek his opinion. Mr. Liu Guoliang is not only a former world table tennis star, he is also very kind, humble and has never left the field of table tennis. He can be a bridge between athletes and decision-makers. After he served as the first vice-chairman, I believe in his rich experience It will be more applied to the work of the ITTF Executive Committee."
ITTF Group CEO Steve Denton said: "Liu Guoliang has won a Grand Slam in his athlete career and is one of the most successful coaches in table tennis history. We are proud to see him win today. These two very important positions are very likely to be the most important decisions in the history of table tennis. As for the ITTF, we need Mr. Liu Guoliang's support and guidance in the following areas: project development, event promotion, Constructing various forms of events and activities on a global scale. At the WTT World Table Tennis Federation, Mr. Liu Guoliang's main job is to build and enhance the table tennis industry."
Liu Guoliang said: "I went from an athlete to a coach, to the chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, and then to the WTT World Table Tennis Federation and the ITTF. I kept changing my identities, but I never left my beloved table tennis career. Changes in heights and dimensions, different locations, and different ideas. What remains unchanged is our dream—to develop table tennis into the world's top sport. I think Chinese table tennis is the world leader, no matter the competition The result is still my understanding of table tennis, and I will bring this love and understanding to represent Chinese table tennis to the world." (End)