Table Tennis champions give nod to sexing up sport
By Trudy HARRIS
OLYMPICS: BEIJING, Aug 23, 2008: Maria Sharapova’s dresses may never
make an appearance, nor the Williams sisters’ bling, but table tennis is
at least trying to sex up its sport.
Some women paddlers gave a nod of approval this week to suggestions
from a senior governing body official to wear skirts during matches to
make their game more stylish in an attempt to pull in the crowds.
“We are trying to push the players to use skirts and also nicer
shirts, not the shirts that are made for men, but ones with more
curves,” International Table Tennis Federation vice-president Claude
Bergeret said. With loose-fitting shorts and baggy shirts the usual
attire, table tennis, mostly played in bland gymnasiums around the
world, has never had the glamour of women’s tennis nor the sex appeal of
beach volleyball.
Wang Chen of the United States, who used to play for China before
moving to New York eight years ago, said some players were already
moving to skirts.
“Some players are already wearing skirts, I think it’s a good idea,
the game (already) looks more beautiful than before,” said Wang.
“I think women should wear dresses like tennis players,” the
34-year-old added. “I think our outfits are so boring, not sexy.” Wang
said sexing up the uniforms would draw the crowds.
Japan’s Ai Fukuhara is one player already taking the initiative,
opting for a “skort” — a tight skirt with cycling shorts underneath —
for her round of 16 match Thursday against China’s Zhang Yining, who
wore black shorts and shirt with a striking yellow dragon printed on the
front.
Plans to sex-up the image of a sport, which is an obsession in Asia
but associated with damp, community halls and youth clubs in the west,
are nothing new.
At the 2007 Women’s World Cup in Chengdu, a range of sleek table
tennis dresses were shown off with top fashion designer Lu Kun called in
to handle the design.
“Although the skirts are just a small part of the changes, they may
spark a revolution by changing the image of table tennis,” explained
Steve Daiton, the Director of the ITTF Asia Office.
“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.”
Not all fans are supportive of the idea.
“Don’t get me wrong - as a healthy red-blooded male I’m all in favour
of table tennis women wearing more attractive clothes,” wrote one
blogger on a table tennis fan website.
“But I’m not in favour of them being pushed or coerced into wearing
outfits they aren’t comfortable to play in. And how about the men? Why
not bring in compulsory lycra bike pants instead of the baggy shorts
many men wear currently?
“I’m sure our female audience would appreciate it. And don’t forget
the umpires and referees - a little black and white striped skintight
number with sequins would surely boost ratings.”
AFP |