(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-02-28 09:41

GUANGZHOU, China: Top US paddler Gao Jun has slammed a controversial move to restrict Chinese-born players in table tennis, branding it unfair for players and unhealthy for the sport.

Gao Jun of the U.S. returns a shot to North Korea's Kim Jong during the women's preliminaries of the World Team Table Tennis Championships in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou February 27, 2008.  Gao slammed a controversial move to restrict Chinese-born players in table tennis. [Agencies]

Gao, a world champion for China before moving to the US, predicted that the skill level of elite competition would diminish if the proposal was adopted by the sport's governing body.

"It's not fair for everybody and it's not good for the sport," Gao told reporters on the sidelines of the World Team Championships.

Top International Table Tennis Federation officials will vote on the plan here this week, amid concern over the large number of Chinese-born paddlers representing their adopted countries in top competitions.

Chinese-born paddlers dominate the sport in many countries, with some players moving from mainland China, where competition to make the coveted national squad is fierce, specifically to a new country to help their careers.

But Gao said such players should be applauded rather than discouraged.

"Many Chinese players represent other countries and they have brought the skill level of the sport up," the 38-year-old said.

"What if all of these players stopped, I cannot say for sure, 100 percent, but I can say most levels in these countries would drop."

"There are now so many (Chinese) coaches and so many players who represent other countries around the world who have really helped improve the sport."