Imports 'failed', but locals will take up baton: Athletics
chief
By Cubby Leong, TODAY
Under the country's Foreign Sports Talent Scheme, Mr Loh Lin Kok
recruited China-born shot put specialists Du Xianhui, Zhang Guirong
and Dong Enxin.
The two women received their Singapore citizenship in October 2003,
while Dong got his in May 2001.
Another shot putter, Luan Wei, and hammer thrower E Xiaoxu, touted
as possible graduates of the scheme, were brought to Singapore in
1999.
But today, Mr Loh, who is president of the Singapore Athletic
Association (SAA), brands his association's efforts a
"failure".
Du and Zhang are back in China after disagreements over training
and salary issues; Luan is currently embroiled in a court case with
the SAA over unfair dismissal; E Xiaoxu dropped a similar action
due to financial constraints; while Dong has failed to live up to
his billing thus far.
"The foreign talent scheme has failed miserably," Mr Loh admitted
in an interview with this newspaper.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/301635/1/.html