Legend Liu returning to take command

After a prolonged absence from the national spotlight, table tennis legend Liu Guoliang is making a triumphant return.

Liu, the world's most decorated table tennis coach, on Thursday was named head of a preparatory group for the general election of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, and will helm the association during the transitional period.

"To make sure preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are well on track, the association will deepen the reform to transform into a fully fledged nongovernmental organization, thus pulling together a preparatory group to guarantee a smooth transition," said the statement.