I AM puzzled by the actions of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA), with regard to 2014 Youth Olympian Yin Jing Yuan ("Stalemate leaves teens in limbo"; Monday).
Despite being ranked much higher than his peers, Jing Yuan's bid to represent Singapore globally has been fraught with obstacles and misfortunes. His bid to represent Singapore at last year's Youth Olympic Games was filled with controversy over STTA's rules and regulations. After the Games, he was injured just before an important match because of alleged physical punishment by his coach.
It looks like STTA does not value Jing Yuan's talent because he is from a mainstream school and did not take the Singapore Sports School's School Within A School (SWS) route. Currently, Jing Yuan is ranked No. 23 in the world junior rankings, while SWS' Edric Lim is No. 124, followed by other players in the scheme ranked from No. 129 to No. 180. The facts speak for themselves that Jing Yuan is a talented and committed player to achieve such a ranking even though he is not in the SWS.
Singapore has lamented a lack of local sports talent. When a rare gem like Jing Yuan grows up among us, much more should be done to smoothen his path in achieving glory for Singapore.
As a governing body of table tennis in Singapore, STTA sets the rules and regulations that determine the eligibility of a player in representing our country. Its president, Ms Ellen Lee, has said that "based on current constraints, the STTA will continue to work out a solution with our local talents".
However, the constraints are imposed by the STTA itself, in favour of SWS players. Hopefully, an amicable solution can be reached soon so that the affected teens can truly "succeed academically and train at the highest level".
Chua Chuu Suh (Madam)
Despite being ranked much higher than his peers, Jing Yuan's bid to represent Singapore globally has been fraught with obstacles and misfortunes. His bid to represent Singapore at last year's Youth Olympic Games was filled with controversy over STTA's rules and regulations. After the Games, he was injured just before an important match because of alleged physical punishment by his coach.
It looks like STTA does not value Jing Yuan's talent because he is from a mainstream school and did not take the Singapore Sports School's School Within A School (SWS) route. Currently, Jing Yuan is ranked No. 23 in the world junior rankings, while SWS' Edric Lim is No. 124, followed by other players in the scheme ranked from No. 129 to No. 180. The facts speak for themselves that Jing Yuan is a talented and committed player to achieve such a ranking even though he is not in the SWS.
Singapore has lamented a lack of local sports talent. When a rare gem like Jing Yuan grows up among us, much more should be done to smoothen his path in achieving glory for Singapore.
As a governing body of table tennis in Singapore, STTA sets the rules and regulations that determine the eligibility of a player in representing our country. Its president, Ms Ellen Lee, has said that "based on current constraints, the STTA will continue to work out a solution with our local talents".
However, the constraints are imposed by the STTA itself, in favour of SWS players. Hopefully, an amicable solution can be reached soon so that the affected teens can truly "succeed academically and train at the highest level".
Chua Chuu Suh (Madam)
