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Table tennis players paid USD 15 Billion

BEIJING, KOMPAS.com - Club China, Shanxi, willing to pay players table tennis world number four, Guo Yan, of 11.3 million yuan, or about Rp 15 billion for a two-year contract.

Guo (26) is the world championship runner-up finish in 2005. He took part in a player auction in Beijing, Thursday (18/3/2010), which produces 37.5 million yuan (about USD 53 billion).

"We never expected such a high price," said Liu Fengyan, Chairman of China Table Tennis Association (CTTA). "We hope to invite big companies to support the super league so that the value of this league to be seen."

Although less popular than basketball and football, table tennis remains a national sport. League involving 10 teams are also getting television coverage.

The record fee for table tennis in China previously held by Olympic champion, Ma Lin, while being paid 5.01 million yuan for the contract with the club for one year Shanxi in 2006.

Guo will get 1.2 million yuan, while the club in Beijing to get 3.2 million yuan. Remaining 6.88 million yuan will be accepted by the CTTA.