Only Yu Mengyu, Isabelle Li and Pang Xuejie of the eight-member contingent have competed at the regional Games.
Four-time Commonwealth Championships gold medallist Zhan Jian will lead the charge for the men, while 24-year-old Yu — the world No 22 competed at the Games in 2007 and 2009 — will captain the women’s team.
The STTA had decided to rest senior players Gao, Yang Zi and Feng to blood younger players ahead of major competitions such as next year’s Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Olympics.
While the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta had featured five gold-medal events — Singapore made a clean sweep — the Dec 17 to 21 table tennis competition in Naypyitaw will only host four events: Men’s and women’s team, and men’s and women’s singles.
“The STTA believes that there must be a mix of experienced and young players for the SEA Games to give our most talented youngsters an opportunity to shine,” said STTA President Lee Bee Wah at the association’s Toa Payoh headquarters yesterday.
“We have given our young team a high target of getting at least three gold medals at the SEA Games. It is not easy but it’s not impossible. Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam will be strong, and Myanmar has a new team of foreign talents (from China).”
Lee is hopeful their local youngsters will shine when the 2015 SEA Games takes place at the new S$1.33 billion Sports Hub, adding: “I hope that after this SEA Games, Isabelle, Clarence (Chew) and Xuejie can lead the team in 2015.
“We are already of international standard, and I would like to see how much they progress and cope under the pressure this time. I hope they will be ready for the 2015 SEA Games, and also for the 2016 Olympic Games.”
Clarence and Isabelle will join seniors Zhan Jian and Yu to contest the men’s and women’s singles at the Wunna Theikdi indoor stadium, and women’s team head coach Jing Junhong is hoping for an all-Singaporean final for the women.
“Over the last two years, Isabelle has improved a lot, such as how she copes with competitions and stronger opponents, and she is a tougher player,” she said.
“She will be at a disadvantage against the players from Thailand and Malaysia, but I hope to see two of our players meeting in the final.”
A silver medallist (women’s singles) at the 2011 SEA Games, 19-year-old Isabelle is looking forward to her first visit to Myanmar.
“It’s a mixture of feelings for me, but mostly of excitement as I expect this to be a different journey from the Indonesia Games,” said the Republic Polytechnic student.
“I’m definitely going for gold for 2013 and it’s something to aim for and work towards.”
Men’s team: Zhan Jian, Clarence Chew, Li Hu, Pang Xuejie
Women’s team: Yu Mengyu, Isabelle Li, Lin Ye, Zhou Yihan
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