China Sports boss hits at world champ over affairs

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By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-13 10:10

China sports governing body's deputy chief, Cai Zhenhua, made a rare and public criticism of popular men's world and Olympic table tennis champion Ma Lin in response to the recent exposure of his marriage and then divorce from entertainment star Zhang Ningyi.

"Ma did not deal with the problem very well. He said he did not know marriage registration with the government means officially getting married. It's unwise to make such an answer," Cai, deputy director of the State General Administration of Sport, told the Guangzhou Daily at the ongoing women's World Cup in Guangzhou. "He could have settled the problem better."

Traditionally in China, families see a wedding party as the "official" way to get married.

Reports revealed last month that Ma married Zhang five years ago and they divorced a few months back.

Ma insisted he broke up with his "girlfriend" rather than wife.

Ma's mother backed him and said her son had no idea that government registration confirmed a marriage.

Reports speculated that Ma and his mother feared be could be dropped from the national team if his marriage and divorce was made public.

But Cai denied that would happen.

"We have no reason to oppose a player's marriage. Media and fans have some misunderstandings about the table tennis team.

"Ma and his mother did not have to answer the public's questions like they did. It's like 'the more one tries to hide things, the more they are exposed'."

Sensitive topic

Love affairs have been a sensitive topic in Chinese table tennis and players involved in romances have in the past tried to hide them for fear of being punished.

At the beginning of 2004, world champion Wang Hao's former girlfriend, Fan Ying, together with Bai Yang and Li Nan from the women's team and Hou Yingchao from the men's contingent were dropped from the national squad for engaging in liaisons with other players.

Bai and Li were involved with men's world No 1 Ma and Hou respectively.

Ma and Wang escaped punishment.

Cai, then head coach of the team, said the forced splitting of three couples was "in the interests of the whole national team and the sport's development in China".

But Cai insists table tennis administrators have always used the "best and right way" to deal with romantic relationships among players.

"We did not dismiss them at that time. We just relegated them to provincial teams and gave them time to reflect.

"Table tennis has different ways of managing a team at different times. That's why we have been able to dominate the world for such a long time. I hope people love the team and provide more understanding and support."

A change in the management's position is apparent as Cai came out in support of women's No 1 and two-time Olympic champion Zhang Yining after it was revealed last month that she was to get married.

"I think as a player, she will get married sooner or later. Marriage will not affect her form and career."

Current men's world No 1 Wang Hao's relationship with former national teammate Peng Luyang was recently disclosed by local media and has also been accepted by team officials.