OOAK Table Tennis Forum

Correct. So do you have any NEW subjects you would like to discuss? what about talking about the future?

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Adham Sharara

It's OK Haggisv, it really does not bother me. I like Smartguy because he likes to argue and is passionate about our sport. I really do not mind discussing and debating with him. It's really OK. He also makes some good points, sometimes. I understand his style and accept his arguements, he has never been rude, so you could cut him some slack.

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Adham Sharara

Again, I don't get it. Why not increase the number of players per group in the preliminary round-robins? But what I really do not understand is that you are comparing something from more than 8 years ago !! Seems ludicrous to me. I can understand having this discussion and comparison in 2002 or even 2003, but in 2009 it seems futile. Hey, 11-point games are here to stay.[/quote]
I know this rule is unlikely to change. The point is it was an example of a rule made to benefit TV that was overall detrimental to average players. It's like cutting a baseball game from nine to seven innings, or football/soccer from 45 minute halves to 35 minute halves.[/quote]

The rule was made only in part to benefit TV. It was also made to increase the excitement and have more game endings as well as give more chances for upsets. TT did not enjoy popularity on TV, so a change was necessary, and according to a great majority the 11-points are widely accepted and enjoyed. believe me that if for some reason Football would not be covered on TV because the matches were too long, they would consider reducing the time. Football does not have to worry, and baseball in the USA does not have to worry. However, baseball in Europe is not popular and shorter games would definitely enhance its chance for popularity. remember, baseball has been removed from the Olympic Games ! Our role as leaders of our sport is to keep the sport fresh, keep it in the Olympics, put it on TV screens, make it visible as widely as possible (itTV) and to enhance its appearance and popularity. Based on figures, we are achieving this slowly but surely. Of course some changes affected some players in a negative way, but none of the changes were drastic enough to stop players from playing the game. The game has stayed true to itself no matter the crticism. TT is still TT. 11 points, 40mm ball, pen service, VOC-free, are just minor modifications. The proof is that the players adjust very quickly. Those that did not adjust is because they took an adversary position and refused to adapt. But if you make a sincere effort to adapt it's not that difficult. By the way, Volleyball changed its scoring system to make games shorter, so did Badminton.

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Adham Sharara

You are mistaken. In fact the AGM is fully responsible for the actions and decisions made by the BoD, the EC and the President. Although the elections are once every 4 years, the members meet at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) every year. I have to submit a report and the AGM has the power to rescind any decision made by the BoD or the EC. In fact the AGM is the overall governing body of our sport internationally.

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Adham Sharara

OK guys, don't worry, I am very thick-skinned, so I am not bothered by the comments. As long as you do not insult me or call me names, I accept all else. No harm done. But Smartguy, what about discussing the "future", surely you have some ideas and suggestions that could help us?

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Adham Sharara

I beg to differ. We receive constant praise about the 40mm ball and the 11 points and the open service. It is a very minute minority that has not liked it. As for the TV networks, they think it's the best thing that ever happened to our sport. Now what would be the logic for Mahda Ararahs to "reduce" the size of the ball? In fact when any change has been made we always said that we will look at the outcome in a period of 1 to 2 years, if the change would be considered a bad idea, we would change back. But the fact is that the changes have been good for our sport, this is the general view.

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Adham Sharara

Dream on ! After the round robin take 2 players to advance, more table tennis. Add one or two matches to the league match system, more table tennis. Enter more tournaments, more table tennis. Stop arguing about this point and go out and play, more table tennis !

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Adham Sharara

OK, I accept. Now what about discussing something new in this thread?

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Adham Sharara

"Gage" is the right word in French. You mean "bet" or "wager". The reason your deal is not fair (unless I did not understand it), is that your exposure to loss is limited to a fixed number, where as my exposure is wide open. So, my deal is more fair because we are both wide open. But you are right, we may both go bankrupt, and no one wants that outcome.

In any case, I get your point and appreciate your concern. No need for us to lose our shirts to prove a point.

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Adham Sharara

No, there are no plans for the doubles at the moment. Many titles have been won by 2 right handers, although as you say having one left-handed player is a definite advantage.

I have not heard the rumour about Butterfly Tenergy. Maybe a competitor started that rumour. Why would it not be accepted?

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Adham Sharara

It was my mistake, my deal is:
I'm going to send to ITTF Solidarity Fund 1USD for every player from world TOP100 who cares about low friction limit for LP's if you send 50cents for every player from world TOP100 who doesn't care about it at all.

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Hallmark Strategy, Hallmark Phoenix 1.0mm, Galaxy Apollo 2.2mm

E.g. the final, semifinal etc. matches at the last World Championship. "Best of 7" was played, 44 points needed for victory. With "21 point game" they would have played "best of 5", 63 points needed for victory. That means, what we have now is 30% reduction of Top Table Tennis. At an ITTF event.

Yes, I have. I think, the Board of Directors has done some wrong things and I'd like them to correct it in the future. I am sure, that if the Board of Directors does not do that, there are more wrong things to come.

I also think, correcting those wrong things already done would be impossible without extensive public pressure on the Board of Directors, so I'd like more players to get concerned about the situation.

Looking at actual match lengths (timewise), the intrinsic properties of the 11 point 7 game format appears to run about the same. Sometimes longer, as I suspect often players are procrastinating a bit.

Still, the format leads to tighter games, higher intensity, more excitement, etc etc

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Chasse Patate

The best is not to listen to rumours but to consult the ITTF's authorization list instead.

Yes, in doubles the lefties are favoured, but give them a chance, they are not favoured in anything else.

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Adham Sharara