BADEN (Vienna) - The cancellation of the subscriptions of eleven Chinese players is a damper for the organizing committee of the Third Open European Mahjong Championship (OEMC) at Baden (Vienna), which will start tomorrow. Not only world champion Li Li from Beijing refuses to come, but also the subscriptions of ten more players from the homeland of mahjong were cancelled. That means that in Baden just seven Chinese will play instead of eighteen.

Otto Myslivec, secretary to the organizing committee of the OEMC 2009: "World champion Li Li was invited by the organizing committee, but he refused to come, because of problems between him and the delegation leader. At least, that is what the latter has told us."

According to Mr. Myslivec, seven other players have withdrawn their nominations because of swine flu (Mexican flu) and other health problems. "I don’t know the problems in China, but in Austria we don’t have any with swine flu." He is not even sure about the arrival of three promised 'outstanding Chinese players.' "We will see about that tonight (Wednesday night) at the opening party."

It is disappointing for the organizing committee that it is impossible to call up subsititute players, because of the very late cancellations. This means that only 152 instead of 160 players will compete in the OEMC. 

Mr. Myslivec also has good news. "Some players are already in Baden and most of them have enjoyed a guided city walk. Others have played mahjong in the beautiful Café Doblhoffpark,  situated near a lake. We are sure that we will have a nice tournament."