by Simon Daish
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday 3rd August, Ellen Lee stated that the Singapore team has the full backing and support of the national association for the tournament ahead.
“All our players will want to win a medal through their individual effort and team effort, and we encourage them to do their best. Their purpose of going to the SEA Games is to win medals, so let’s give them the confidence and give them that boost they very much need to win those medals”, Ellen Lee.
Singapore hosted the previous edition of the competition in 2015 and the team didn’t disappoint on home soil, picking up six gold, one silver and three bronze medals from the seven table tennis events.
Two years have passed since then and once again the STTA is expecting the team to perform at a high standard at the Games.
“Every one of them knows they have a part to play in this special competition. This is where we are competing against Southeast Asian countries and we are known to be the best. Therefore, we have to live up to the reputation as well as take in the fact that our neighbours are also improving their games as well”, Ellen Lee.
In June the STTA announced the player lineup set to represent Singapore at the 2017 SEA Games with the women’s team including the likes of Yu Mengyu and Feng Tianwei while defending Men’s Singles champion Gao Ning heads the male contingent heading to Kuala Lumpur.
Players from Chinese Taipei and Europe have been brought in to spar with the Singapore competitors to help with tournament preparation, and president Ellen Lee has high expectations of the country’s representatives at the upcoming edition of the Games.
“Preparation has been good, very intensive. Long hours have been put in, special efforts have been put in as well. It’s been drummed into the players how important these Games are to Singapore… My own expectation is that they should really do their best because we have been giving them all the opportunities and all the training that is necessary. So, we want to see a certain return as well”, Ellen Lee.
Source: The Straits Times
