Paddlers originally from China will be key to the Olympic prospects of countries from Singapore to the Republic of Congo. However, a new rule could be about to change all that.

The rule restricts players from competing for other countries, which could mean fewer Chinese faces when the London Olympics roll around in four years.

"Imagine the Chinese football team playing Qatar and lost 3-0, and after the match we find the 11 players of Qatar are all from Brazil. How will you feel?" International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) president Adham Sharara said as he lobbied for the change.

The federation believes the regulation, which goes into effect after the Beijing Games, will encourage table tennis associations to develop rather than import talent.

"It's like American basketball. The second or third tier players, once they get to China, they're considered a top player," said Gao Jun, a former Chinese table tennis star who will represent the US at the Beijing Olympics.

The talent imbalance is glaring, particularly in the women's game. The top 30 players in the world include 10 Chinese and 13 who are originally from China but now compete for other countries.

"It's just that the level of talent in China is so high. Of course the coaches will pick the best of the best. So when players leave, it's not because they're no good, it's because there's players who are even better than them," said Gao, 39, who won a silver medal for China at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

Because there are few training partners in the US, Gao lives in Shanghai and works out with a local university team. She does not even have a home in the US and stays with friends when she visits.

Gao argues against the new regulation, saying it will harm player development in other countries rather than aid it.

"If you cut out all (foreign players) and tell the Americans to play by themselves, you'll see what's going to happen to the level of talent," she said.

"The situation will be that there won't be any team that can compete against China."

The ITTF rule change does not directly affect Olympic eligibility, but will be a disincentive to players leaving their home country as they will be ineligible for other events.

"We are not clairvoyants, but the intention of the rule is to make sure each association tries to work hard and develop players of their own," ITTF media officer Marius Widmer said.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily March 14, 2008)