China sexs up womens TT attire to revive interest in the game

Fashion in table tennis, hard to believe, but true.

New Delhi, Oct.12 : Fashion in table tennis, hard to believe, but true.

That's the path the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is taking to revive diminishing interest in the game.

Plans are afoot to change players' clothing to make it look more stylish and appealing, according to Steve Daiton, the Director of ITTF Asia Office.

As China continues to soar in the sport, international audience interest has taken a dive; so what better way than encouraging Chinese women players to look stylish and win back viewers.

"I think any change should begin from the country," Daiton told China Daily.

At the recent 2007 Women's Table Tennis World Cup in Chengdu, a fashion fiesta displaying saucy dresses grabbed the attention of players and fans alike.

Celebrated fashion guru Lu Kun who believes the current outfits "look too dowdy" designed them.

"Although the skirts are just a small part of the changes, they may spark a revolution by changing the image of table tennis," Daiton said.

"It might be a revolution if women paddlers wear skirts during games just like tennis and badminton players, which will definitely help win back the lost interest in the game," claimed Daiton.

Chinese table tennis officials agree with Daiton and national champion Peng Luyang gamely tried a skirt at the fashion show.

Even world and Olympic champion Wang Nan - though not very comfortable in the new attire - believes she and others have to go with the flow.

It may cause an earthquake in the sport of table tennis. But it also may be a watershed.

The popularity of table tennis has been heading downhill for years, and even fervent Chinese paddlers agree that something needs to be done to breathe new life into the sport. The answer may be a touch of fashion.

ANI