Following the criticism of the newly-introduced two-tier format for team events at the ongoing Asian Championships, Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) has decided to review the new system.
According to the current format, two top countries of the First Division qualify for the Champions Division, where they are joined by six best performers of the earlier edition.
After its introduction in the Asian Championship, the format drew flak from different quarters, including India, and so the ATTU discussed the format at length at its congress held on the sidelines of the event in Lucknow on Wednesday.
"We decided to introduce the format mainly because Asia has as many as 44 countries and a double-tier format offers chance to the bests of the lower level to take on top sides of the continent," ATTU Secretary General Tony Yue said.
"We have discussed the new format. Once the tournament gets over, we would also ask for the feedback from different sections including international paddlers and then think about it," said Yue, who hails from Hong Kong.
India coach Massimo Constantini of Italy ridiculed the format on the eve of the tournament and reiterated his views after the hosts' ouster from the men's team event on Wednesday.
"We might have given a brilliant fight to China in Champions Division, but I think, this system is unjustified," said Constantini.
The Indian men's team, which qualified for the Champions Division on Tuesday, went down to China 1-3 as Olympian Achanta Sharath Kamal's brilliant effort went in vain.
"After competing successfully in one category for two days, this new system asks you to take on much higher level opponents immediately, who are coming into the tournament on the basis of their last edtion's results. That's not good," said Constantini, also a former Italian paddler.
Meanwhile, the Table Tennis Federation of India Secretary Dhanraj Choudhary was appointed treasurer of the ATTU, while Ajay Singh Chautala was elected as its vice president.
Rajev Bodas was named the Chairman of Coaching and Junior Committee of the Asian body during the day-long congress.
The Asian body was also happy with the organisation of the week-long event.
"We are happy with the way India has organised the event that is being held in the country for the third time. We have absolutely no complaints about that," said Iranian Shahrokh Shahnazi, who was appointed the ATTU Deputy President.
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