Table Tennis: Singapore's Olympic heroines will stay
together
SINGAPORE : Late last week, national women’s table tennis
coach Liu Guodong rejected a new two-year deal offered by the
Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA), and his tenure is
scheduled to end on December 31.
The development followed quickly on the heels of news that women’s
world No 6, Li Jiawei, was engaged to a Beijing businessman.
Both played key roles to help Singapore end a 48-year wait for its
second Olympic medal, when the women’s table tennis team won silver
at the Beijing Olympics last August, and Liu’s decision could well
spark fears among fans of a break-up of the squad.
STTA chief executive officer Chew Soo Sheng allayed fears on
Tuesday that Wang Yuegu, Feng Tianwei and Li will no longer play as
a unit for Singapore.
Chew, who assumed the post on October 8, said: “They have all
indicated that they will continue representing Singapore and, to
the best of my knowledge, there has been no negative reaction to
the news (of Liu rejecting a new deal).
“I spoke to Tianwei (on Monday), informing her of Liu’s decision to
turn down the new deal. She said she understood and respected his
decision.
“My technical manager Loy Soo Han also spoke to Jiawei and Yuegu
(on Monday), and they also said the same. They, too, accepted his
decision.”
Wang and Feng are world-ranked No 7 and No 9, respectively, and
like Li, are currently playing for their overseas clubs.
Liu coached the women’s team to a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics
but, a few days later, was embroiled in controversy after a mix-up
left Singapore’s top male player, Gao Ning, without a coach for his
opening singles tie against Croatia’s Tan Ruiwu, which he lost
4-0.
New STTA president Lee Bee Wah lashed out at the lack of
professionalism and the incident soured the post-Olympics
celebrations.
Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian
Balakrishnan, eventually intervened to help resolve the
matter.
Liu then began negotiations with STTA over a new contract, but
press reports over the last two days have indicated he has rejected
the new offer, describing it as “insulting”.
In a statement released by the association on Tuesday, the STTA
said they had offered Liu improved terms for two years, but failed
to persuade him to stay.
Said Chew: “We offered him an improved package, better than his
current one, but he declined. We believe it is a fair
package.
“However, the door remains open if he changes his mind. We are
always willing to discuss things.”
Speaking to TODAY, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Community
Development, Youth and Sports), Teo Ser Luck, said: “The STTA had
worked very hard to give him the best possible offer, but we also
have to understand that we’re competing with others for his
services.
“Liu has always been thankful for the opportunities here, and we
respect his decision (to reject the new contract).”
It is believed that Liu has had coaching offers from countries in
Europe, South America and Asia.
The STTA have drawn up a shortlist of six candidates to take over
as the national women’s team coach and they are also looking for a
men’s team coach.
“We are looking at coaches from China, as well as those based
overseas,” said Chew.
“We also intend to promote at least one (local-born) male and
female player to the national side next year, and those being
considered include the likes of Pang Xuejie and Zena Sim (both from
the Singapore Sports School).” - TODAY/ro
