Download

When success becomes stodgy, maybe it's time to sex it up - a la Sharapova.

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

The trick is to change players' clothing to make it more stylish and appealing and reflect cutting-edge design concepts, according to Steve Daiton, director of ITTF Asia Office.

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

"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.

Designed by celebrated fashionista Lu Kun, who believes the current outfits "look too dowdy".

"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," Daiton suggested.

Chinese table tennis officials agree with Daiton and national champion Peng Luyang gamely tried on 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.

（英语点津 Linda 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Marc Checkley is a freelance journalist and media producer from Auckland, New Zealand. Marc has had an eclectic career in the media/arts, most recently working as a radio journalist for NewstalkZB, New Zealand’s leading news radio network, as a feature writer for Travel Inc, New Nutrition Business (UK) and contributor for Mana Magazine and the Sunday Star Times. Marc is also a passionate arts educator and is involved in various media/theatre projects in his native New Zealand and Singapore where he is currently based. Marc joins the China Daily with support from the Asia New Zealand Foundation.