World No.1 Wang Liqin is to hit the price ceiling when the
pre-season transfers begin next month.
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According to sportscn.com, the affiliated website of China's
sports authorities, the ace paddler is likely to trigger a fierce
battle between Shandong and Sichuan.
The two deadlocked rivals in the soccer arena have entered a new
battle on the table tennis front as both provinces are trying to
sign Wang Liqin.
Sichuan has committed an additional 1.5 million yuan (US$186
thousand) to strength its roster and is determined to sign a top
player this season at any cost.
Shandong, meanwhile, have set their eyes on winning the league
title this season. Club officials confessed that it would be a
mission impossible without at least one of the league's elites.
They contacted Wang Liqin last season but failed to win the
Shanghai player. However, the club is reluctant to throw their
money away on a single player, saying that they need to cultivate
their own players.
The Chinese Table Tennis Association has set 1.25 million yuan
(US$155 thousand) as its salary cap. But it also sets the rule that
the highest offer gets first pick.
Wang become a free agent after his Shanghai team was relegated
from the Chinese Super League due to its poor performance last
season.
(CRI English February 25, 2006)