Authority votes for limits on paddlers

GUANGZHOU: Table tennis officials voted Friday to restrict Chinese-born paddlers from playing for new countries at international events, a move likely to ignite controversy in the sport.

The International Table Tennis Federation's (ITTF's) board of directors accepted the proposal amid concerns over the increasing number of Chinese-born players who dominate national teams.

"I am pleased that the board of directors members were not thinking about the benefits of their own associations," ITTF president Adham Sharara said.