SINGAPORE UPDATED.Top-ranked paddlers Gao Ning and Feng Tianwei may be sitting out the 27th SEA Games next month, but the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) is bullish about winning three out of four gold medals on offer in Myanmar.
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 Yihantodayonline.com.
MALAYSIA UPDATED. Veteran paddler Beh Lee Wei will be tackling multiple roles in next month’s Myanmar SEA Games.
The 30-year-old Lee Wei, who has a 20-month-old daughter, will not only feature for the last time in the biennial Games but is also the acting chief coach.
The Gong Chempedak-born Lee Wei, who will be featuring in her eighth SEA Games, acknowledged that she has a heavy responsibility to shoulder in Myanmar.
“Not only will I be playing in the singles and team events, I’ll also be handling the men’s and women’s teams at the Games,” said Lee Wei, who did not feature in the 2011 Palembang SEA Games after giving birth to her daughter that year.
“It will be mentally tough to manage the players and play at the Games.”I don’t know how I’m going to cope with it ... I don’t have much experience in coaching.”
The 13-time national singles champion is currently in Hebei, China, with the men’s and women’s paddlers for three weeks of centralised training in preparation for the Games.
The Table Tennis Association of Malaysia (TTAM) have set the paddlers a two-bronze target at the Games.
Lee Wei, who has won seven bronze medals in the last seven SEA Games, believes it will be difficult for her to win a medal in the individual event.
“I was out of action for the whole of last year and only made a comeback this year. My ranking has dropped and I won’t get a good seeding and draw in the individual event,” said Lee Wei.
“Singapore will be represented by China-born players and if I were to face one of them in the early rounds, it could be the end of the road for me.
“It’s not going to be easy winning the women’s team bronze either, especially in the absence of national number two Ng Sock Khim, who suffered a knee injury.
“I have been representing Malaysia in international competitions for the past 15 years and the time has come for me to focus on my family and allow others to feature in tournaments.
“I plan to retire after the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July next year. “I also miss my daughter (Choo Ke Ying), who needs my attention and love.”
“I’ve been busy with my training and competitions and have had to leave her under the care of my mother in Kedah.”
“It’s not easy for me – be it as a mother, a player or a chief coach – to play well and win medals in the Games,” said Lee Wei, who will return from China on Sunday to be with her family.
On her retirement plans, Lee Wei said she plans to help her husband Choo Sim Guan in his business – selling the Donic brand table tennis equipment.
“It’s a good business. I also hope to do some coaching as I have vast experience as a player,” she said. But all that can wait. For now, there is the small matter of the SEA Games to take care of. .
