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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
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