A rule banning table tennis players from switching national allegiance after the age of 21 was approved by the sports' governing body in Guangzhou yesterday.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) passed the Swiss association's proposal by 46 votes to 2 - New Zealand and Hong Kong were the dissenters - and the new rule will become effective from September 1.

In addition to the ban on switching countries after the age of 21, the rule demands a qualification period of seven years for 18-21 year olds, five years for 15-18 year olds and three years for those under 15.

The rule, which applies to the World Cup and World Championships but not the Olympics, was widely perceived as an attempt to stop the flow of Chinese players moving to represent other nations.

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