SINGAPORE: Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said the controversy between the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) and its former head coach is "unfortunate" and he hopes the issue will be resolved amicably.

The public dispute between former coach Liu Guodong and the Singapore Table Tennis Association was sparked by its decision in May not to nominate him for the Singapore Sports Award.

Liu was upset by his former employer's comments on his professionalism and integrity.

But amid calls for the government to step in, the Sports Minister said neither his ministry nor the Singapore Sports Council will get involved in the "micro-managing" of awards. This, he said, was best left to the sporting fraternity.

Dr Balakrishnan said: "I would, however, urge both parties to aim for a dignified and fair outcome to this matter. The sporting analogy which I would use, I would use tennis as an example.

"This is a line call, a disputed line call. And it is important that we don't become so distracted or so upset by a disputed line call that you end up losing the match."

Dr Balakrishnan added that they could approach the Singapore Mediation Centre for help. He added: "We do, in all circumstances, always prefer a mediated outcome rather than a slugfest where only one person walks out of the ring."

This is not the first time the Singapore Table Tennis Association is caught up in controversy.

And on this point, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Teo Ser Luck agreed that his ministry could have given the association more support in its public handling of the dispute. Now, what both parties need, is more time to iron out their differences. - CNA/vm